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.
内緒話をする。
To have a secret conversation.
子どもたちが内緒話をしてくすくす笑っている。
The children are whispering secrets and giggling.
会議中に隣の人と内緒話をしていたら、上司に注意された。
I was whispering with the person next to me during the meeting and got scolded by my boss.
A compound of 内緒 (secret, private) and 話 (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:
- 内緒話をする: to have a secret talk
- 内緒話が聞こえる: to overhear whispering
- 耳元で内緒話: whispering in someone's ear
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ひそひそ話: whispering — emphasizes the hushed manner of speaking rather than the secret content
- 密談: secret discussion — more formal and serious, often about plans or schemes