内緒話(ないしょばなし)

ないしょばなし
noun
secret talk; whispering
informalcommunication
1. secret talk, confidential conversation, whispering
A conversation spoken quietly or privately so that others cannot hear, or a conversation whose contents are meant to be kept secret.
内緒話(ないしょばなし)をする。
To have a secret conversation.
子(こ)どもたちが内緒話(ないしょばなし)をしてくすくす笑(わら)っている。
The children are whispering secrets and giggling.
会議中(かいぎちゅう)に隣(となり)の人(ひと)と内緒話(ないしょばなし)をしていたら、上司(じょうし)に注意(ちゅうい)された。
I was whispering with the person next to me during the meeting and got scolded by my boss.

A compound of 内緒(ないしょ) (secret, private) and 話(はなし) (talk, conversation). Evokes an image of people leaning close together and speaking in hushed tones. Common in everyday conversation, especially when describing children whispering or coworkers sharing gossip.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • ひそひそ話(ばなし): whispering — emphasizes the hushed manner of speaking rather than the secret content
  • 密談(みつだん): secret discussion — more formal and serious, often about plans or schemes

Related Words

Compare: 密談(みつだん) (secret discussion)
Compare: 耳打(みみう)ち (whispering in someone's ear)
Compare: 秘密話(ひみつばなし) (secret talk)
general
Added 2026.4.2 12:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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