胸(むね)に秘(ひ)める

むねにひめる
expression
to keep in one's heart; to harbor secretly
emotionmetaphor
1. to keep in one's heart; to harbor secretly; to hold inside without telling anyone
To keep feelings, thoughts, intentions, or memories hidden inside oneself without expressing or sharing them.
思(おも)いを胸(むね)に秘(ひ)める。
To keep one's feelings hidden in one's heart.
彼(かれ)は決意(けつい)を胸(むね)に秘(ひ)めていた。
He held his determination secretly in his heart.
誰(だれ)にも言(い)えない秘密(ひみつ)を胸(むね)に秘(ひ)めて生(い)きてきた。
She has lived keeping a secret in her heart that she could tell no one.
悔(くや)しさを胸(むね)に秘(ひ)め、次(つぎ)の試合(しあい)に向(む)けて練習(れんしゅう)を続(つづ)けた。
Keeping his frustration inside, he continued practicing for the next match.

A literary, expressive phrase. 胸(むね) (chest/heart) represents one's inner self, and 秘(ひ)める means to keep secret or hidden. The expression conveys quiet inner strength, unexpressed love, or private resolve.

Common collocations

Usage

Often used in narrative and literary contexts. Carries a nuance of stoic restraint — the person chooses not to share what they feel, either out of strength, social obligation, or inability to express it.

Similar words

  • 心(こころ)に留(と)める: to keep in mind — more about remembering or taking note, less about secrecy
  • 胸(むね)にしまう: to tuck away in one's heart — very similar meaning, slightly more colloquial
  • 隠(かく)す: to hide — general hiding, without the poetic 'in one's heart' nuance

Related Words

Compare: 隠(かく)す (to hide)
general
Added 2026.4.6 0:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
22000/22245_munenihimeru