隠密(おんみつ)

おんみつ
noun, na-adjective
secrecy; spy; undercover agent
formalliteraryperson
1. secrecy; acting in secret
Doing something covertly, without others knowing. Used as a な-adjective to describe secret actions or operations.
隠密(おんみつ)に調査(ちょうさ)を進(すす)める。
To conduct the investigation secretly.
隠密(おんみつ)に計画(けいかく)が進行(しんこう)していた。
The plan was proceeding in secret.
この作戦(さくせん)は隠密(おんみつ)に行(おこな)う必要(ひつよう)がある。
This operation needs to be carried out covertly.
2. spy; undercover agent; secret inspector
A person sent on a covert mission, especially in the Edo period. Refers to agents employed by the shogunate or feudal lords to gather intelligence or conduct surveillance.
将軍(しょうぐん)は隠密(おんみつ)を各地(かくち)に送(おく)った。
The shogun dispatched spies throughout the land.
時代劇(じだいげき)では隠密(おんみつ)が活躍(かつやく)する話(はなし)が多(おお)い。
In period dramas, stories featuring secret agents are common.
隠密(おんみつ)として敵(てき)の城(しろ)に潜入(せんにゅう)した。
He infiltrated the enemy castle as a spy.

Usage

Sense 1: Used as 隠密(おんみつ)に (secretly, covertly) or 隠密(おんみつ)の + noun. More formal and literary than 秘密(ひみつ)に.
Sense 2: In historical contexts, refers to Edo-period intelligence agents. A staple of 時代劇(じだいげき) (period dramas).

Common collocations

Similar words

秘密(ひみつ) (secret) is the everyday word, while 隠密(おんみつ) is more formal and literary. As a noun meaning 'spy,' 隠密(おんみつ) is specifically associated with the Edo period, unlike the modern スパイ.

Related Words

Compare: 秘密(ひみつ) (secret)
general
Added 2026.3.7 19:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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