Meaning and Usage
"内緒" (ないしょ) means "secret" or "privacy." It is often used when referring to information or matters that should not be shared with others. The word carries a nuance of confidentiality and trust.
Common Contexts
You will hear "内緒" in everyday conversations when someone wants to keep something private, such as a surprise, personal information, or confidential plans.
Collocations and Patterns
- 内緒の話 (ないしょのはなし): a secret story or confidential talk.
- 内緒にする: to keep something secret.
- 内緒で: secretly, without telling others.
Register and Politeness
"内緒" is casual and commonly used in informal speech among friends, family, or close colleagues. It is less common in formal or official contexts.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse "内緒" with "秘密" (ひみつ), which also means secret but is more formal and neutral. "内緒" often implies a personal or intimate secret, sometimes with a playful or lighthearted tone.