密(ひそ)か

ひそか
na-adjective
secret, private, clandestine
descriptive
1. secret, private, quiet, clandestine
Done secretly or privately, without others knowing. Can describe actions, feelings, or pleasures kept to oneself.
密(ひそ)かな楽(たの)しみ。
A secret pleasure.
I secretly admired her.
The surprise party that had been planned in secret was a success.

Forms

  • Adverbial: 密(ひそ)かに (secretly, quietly)

Usage

密(ひそ)か is more literary and elegant than こっそり (stealthily, sneakily). It does not carry the negative implication of sneaking that こっそり can have.

Common collocations