秘 訣(ひけつ)

ひけつ

noun

secret, key, tip

1. secret (to success), key, tip

The crucial method, technique, or piece of knowledge that leads to success or a good result. Often translated as 'the secret to...' or 'the key to...'.

成功(せいこう)の秘訣(ひけつ)は努力(どりょく)だ。

The secret to success is hard work.

長生(ながい)きの秘訣(ひけつ)を教(おし)えてください。

Please tell me the secret to a long life.

料理(りょうり)が上手(じょうず)になる秘訣(ひけつ)は、毎日(まいにち)作(つく)り続(つづ)けることだと思(おも)う。

I think the key to becoming good at cooking is to keep making food every day.

秘訣(ひけつ) means the secret, key, or essential technique behind achieving success or a good result.

Compounds

秘(ひ) (secret) + 訣(けつ) (key point, trick). The second kanji 訣(けつ) specifically refers to an essential trick or technique.

Common collocations

成功(せいこう)の秘訣(ひけつ): the secret to success
長生(ながい)きの秘訣(ひけつ): the secret to a long life
健康(けんこう)の秘訣(ひけつ): the key to good health
秘訣(ひけつ)を教(おし)える: to share a secret/tip
秘訣(ひけつ)は～にある: the secret lies in ~

Common patterns

Almost always appears as ～の秘訣(ひけつ) (the secret to...).

Watch out

否決(ひけつ) (rejection, voting down) is pronounced identically but has a completely different meaning. Context usually makes the distinction clear.

general

Added 2026.2.26 23:24 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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