秘密を守る
keep a secret
직역: 秘密 (secret) + を (object marker) + 守る (to protect/guard)
Use this phrase to promise reliability when someone shares sensitive or private information with you.
15초 만에
- Standard way to say 'keep a secret' in any situation.
- Combines 'himitsu' (secret) with 'mamoru' (to guard or protect).
- Essential for building trust in personal and professional relationships.
뜻
This phrase is the standard way to say you'll keep a secret safe. It's like promising someone that their private information is locked away in your brain and you won't let it out.
주요 예문
3 / 6A friend tells you who they like at a cafe.
大丈夫、絶対に秘密を守るよ。
It's okay, I'll definitely keep the secret.
A boss discussing a new project in a meeting.
このプロジェクトの秘密を守ってください。
Please keep the secrets of this project.
Texting a friend about a surprise party.
当日まで秘密を守れる？
Can you keep the secret until the day of?
문화적 배경
In Japanese culture, the distinction between private and public information is very sharp. Keeping a secret is seen as a test of character and loyalty to one's social group. The verb 'mamoru' (to protect) implies that the secret is something precious that requires active defense.
The 'Naisho' Shortcut
If you're with close friends, you can just say 'Naisho!' (It's a secret!) instead of the full phrase. It sounds cute and playful.
Don't confuse with 'Keep a Promise'
While 'mamoru' is used for both, 'keep a promise' is specifically 'yakusoku o mamoru'. Don't mix them up in the same sentence!
15초 만에
- Standard way to say 'keep a secret' in any situation.
- Combines 'himitsu' (secret) with 'mamoru' (to guard or protect).
- Essential for building trust in personal and professional relationships.
What It Means
Imagine you are a high-tech vault. Someone hands you a piece of paper. You lock it up and throw away the key. That is 秘密を守る. It is the standard Japanese way to say you are keeping a secret. It is not just about staying quiet. It is about actively guarding that information. You are the protector of the truth.
How To Use It
You will mostly use the dictionary form 守る or the polite 守ります. If you are promising someone right now, use 守るよ. It sounds firm and reliable. If you are talking about a general rule, use 守る. For example, 'I always keep secrets' is 私はいつも秘密を守ります. It is a very versatile phrase. You can use it as a question too. Just ask 秘密を守れる？ to see if someone is trustworthy.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend confesses a crush. Use it when a coworker tells you they are quitting. It is perfect for those 'don't tell anyone' moments. You can even use it in professional settings. If you sign an NDA, you are literally agreeing to 秘密を守る. It works in texts too. Just a quick 秘密守るね (I'll keep the secret) goes a long way. It builds deep trust between people.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical objects. If you are guarding a house, use 留守番 or 守衛. Also, if the secret is tiny, like a surprise party, 内緒 might feel more natural. 秘密 can feel a bit heavy. If it is a life-or-death secret, 秘密 is your guy. If it is just about a hidden snack, maybe stick to 内緒. Do not use it if you are just 'following' a schedule; that is 予定を守る.
Cultural Background
In Japan, trust is everything. There is a concept called *Honne* (true feelings) and *Tatemae* (public face). When someone shares their *Honne*, they are trusting you deeply. Breaking that trust is a big social no-no. Silence is often seen as a virtue. Being 'tight-lipped' (口が固い) is a high compliment. Keeping a secret is not just a favor. It is a way to maintain social harmony. It shows you value the relationship over the gossip.
Common Variations
内緒にする is the casual cousin. It is used for small, fun secrets. 口が固い means you are a person who is good at keeping secrets. On the flip side, 秘密を漏らす means you let the cat out of the bag. If you want to be super formal, you might hear 守秘義務. That is the 'duty of confidentiality' you find in legal contracts. You might also hear 他言無用 in samurai movies, meaning 'don't tell others.'
사용 참고사항
This is a neutral phrase suitable for almost any context. In very casual speech, the particle 'o' is often dropped, resulting in 'himitsu mamoru'.
The 'Naisho' Shortcut
If you're with close friends, you can just say 'Naisho!' (It's a secret!) instead of the full phrase. It sounds cute and playful.
Don't confuse with 'Keep a Promise'
While 'mamoru' is used for both, 'keep a promise' is specifically 'yakusoku o mamoru'. Don't mix them up in the same sentence!
The Pinky Swear
In Japan, a pinky swear is called 'Yubikiri'. People often say 'Yubikiri genman' while locking pinkies to seal the deal on keeping a secret.
예시
6大丈夫、絶対に秘密を守るよ。
It's okay, I'll definitely keep the secret.
Adding 'zettai ni' (definitely) makes the promise stronger.
このプロジェクトの秘密を守ってください。
Please keep the secrets of this project.
A standard request for confidentiality in a workspace.
当日まで秘密を守れる？
Can you keep the secret until the day of?
Using the potential form 'mamoreru' to ask about ability.
お母さんには秘密を守ってね！お願い！
Keep it a secret from Mom, okay? Please!
A desperate plea for silence over something trivial.
君の秘密を守るのが、本当の友達だと思う。
I think keeping your secrets is what a true friend does.
Shows the weight and emotional value of the phrase.
私たちは患者さんの秘密を守る義務があります。
We have an obligation to protect the patient's secrets.
Very formal and legally grounded usage.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase for 'keep a secret'.
友達の秘密を___。
`守る` (mamoru) is the specific verb used for guarding or keeping a secret.
Make the phrase polite for a work setting.
会社の秘密を___。
The `-masu` form is required for professional or polite contexts.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Ways to Say 'Keep it Secret'
Used with friends for small things.
内緒にする (Naisho ni suru)
The standard phrase for any secret.
秘密を守る (Himitsu o mamoru)
Legal or professional duty.
守秘義務 (Shuhigimu)
When to Guard the Secret
Office Gossip
Don't tell the boss yet!
Romance
Confessing a crush.
Family
Surprise birthday plans.
Legal
Signing a contract.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It means 'secret'. It can refer to anything from a hidden fact to a confidential document.
It means 'to protect', 'to guard', or 'to obey'. You use it for protecting people, following rules, or keeping promises.
Yes, it's perfectly fine. However, 内緒にする (naisho ni suru) is slightly more common for very casual, lighthearted secrets.
You can say 秘密を守れない (himitsu o mamorenai). It's a good way to warn someone you're a gossip!
秘密 is more formal and serious. 内緒 is casual and often used for small things like surprises or minor gossip.
Yes, but use the polite form 秘密を守ります or the noun 機密保持 (kimitsu hoji) for very formal documents.
A great idiomatic way is 口が固い (kuchi ga katai), which literally means 'my mouth is hard/tight'.
Not exactly slang, but people might just say 秘密ね (himitsu ne) with a wink to mean 'keep it a secret'.
That's called 秘密を漏らす (himitsu o morasu), which means 'to leak a secret'.
Usually no. 守る is for guarding or protecting. If you're just 'keeping' an object, use 預かる (azakaru) or 持っておく (motte oku).
관련 표현
内緒にする (keep quiet about something)
口が固い (tight-lipped/good at keeping secrets)
秘密を漏らす (to leak a secret)
守秘義務 (duty of confidentiality)
墓場まで持っていく (take it to the grave)
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