機 密(きみつ)

きみつ

noun

secrecy, classified information

1. secrecy, classified information, confidential matter

Information or matters that must be kept secret, especially within organizations, government, or military contexts. Refers to the information itself as well as the state of being classified.

機密(きみつ)情報(じょうほう)が漏(も)れた。

Classified information was leaked.

この書類(しょるい)は機密(きみつ)扱(あつか)いです。

This document is treated as classified.

国家(こっか)の機密(きみつ)に関(かか)わる内容(ないよう)なので、詳細(しょうさい)は公開(こうかい)できない。

Since it involves state secrets, the details cannot be made public.

Etymology

機(き) (opportunity, secret) + 密(みつ) (dense, secret). The character 機(き) can mean "secret" in classical usage, so the compound emphasizes secrecy.

Usage

機密(きみつ) is an institutional term used in government, military, and corporate contexts. It is more formal and official than 秘密(ひみつ) (secret). Often used as a modifier: 機密(きみつ)情報(じょうほう) (classified information), 機密(きみつ)文書(ぶんしょ) (classified document).

Common collocations

機密(きみつ)情報(じょうほう): classified information
機密(きみつ)文書(ぶんしょ): classified document
機密(きみつ)保持(ほじ): maintaining secrecy
機密(きみつ)が漏(も)れる: classified information leaks
機密(きみつ)漏洩(ろうえい): leaking of classified information
軍事(ぐんじ)機密(きみつ): military secrets

Similar words

秘密(ひみつ): secret (general, everyday)
極秘(ごくひ): top secret (the highest level of secrecy)

Related Words

Related: 極秘(ごくひ)

Compare: 秘密(ひみつ) (secret)

Compare: 内緒(ないしょ) (secret, confidentiality)

Compare: 非公表(ひこうひょう) (undisclosed)

Compare: 秘匿(ひとく) (concealment)

Related: 守秘(しゅひ) (confidentiality)

Compare: 社外秘(しゃがいひ) (confidential)

Compare: 社内(しゃない)秘(ひ) (confidential (within a company))

general

Added 2026.2.23 21:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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