密(ひそ)か

ひそか
adjective (na)
secret, private, clandestine
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.
彼女(かのじょ)に密(ひそ)かに憧(あこが)れていた。
I secretly admired her.
密(ひそ)かに計画(けいかく)を進(すす)めていたサプライズパーティーが成功(せいこう)した。
The surprise party that had been planned in secret was a success.

FORMS:

  • Adverbial: 密(ひそ)かに (secretly, quietly)
  • Predicate: 密(ひそ)かだ
  • Attributive: 密(ひそ)かな + noun

NUANCE:
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:

  • 密(ひそ)かな楽(たの)しみ: secret pleasure
  • 密(ひそ)かな願(ねが)い: secret wish
  • 密(ひそ)かに思(おも)う: to think privately
  • 密(ひそ)かなブーム: quiet trend
general
Added 2026.2.8 8:54
10500/10515_hisoka