Entry
こそっと
kosotto
Describes doing something quickly and secretly without others noticing.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Kosotto is a mimetic word (gitaigo) that captures a quick, secretive action. The "-tto" ending implies brevity and swiftness, giving it a lighter and faster feel than the similar word "kossori." It is commonly used for quick, sneaky actions like taking a peek, eating a snack behind someone's back, or slipping away from a gathering unnoticed.
- Brief secret action
- Sneaking away quickly
Sense Map
Brief Secret Action
Doing something quickly when no one is looking, such as sneaking a peek or taking a quick bite.
ケーキをこそっと食べた。
Sneaking Away
Moving or leaving quietly and swiftly to avoid being noticed by others.
飲み会からこそっと帰った。
Usage Note
How to Use
こそっと + verb
Describes a verb being performed secretly and quickly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
こそっと見る
to sneak a peek
こそっと食べる
to secretly eat
こそっと帰る
to slip away / leave secretly
こそっと教える
to tell someone a secret briefly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sneaking a peek or grabbing a snack | neutral | Often feels lighthearted, representing harmless mischief rather than malice. |
| Leaving a place | neutral | Shows a desire to escape social interaction or a boring situation swiftly and without making a fuss. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
こっそり こっそり / similar | Use "kossori" for sustained, deliberate, or well-planned secretive actions. | "Kosotto" feels faster, lighter, and more spontaneous than the careful secrecy of "kossori". | こっそり家を出る。 |
こそこそ こそこそ / similar | Use "kosokoso" for suspicious, cowardly, or repetitive sneaky behavior (like whispering behind someone's back). | "Kosotto" is typically a single, quick action without the negative, suspicious undertones of "kosokoso". | こそこそ話す。 |
そっと そっと / similar | Use "sotto" for actions done gently or softly to avoid disturbing others (e.g., closing a door quietly). | "Kosotto" explicitly means trying to hide the action from others, whereas "sotto" focuses on being gentle. | ドアをそっと閉める。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using "kosotto" when you want to be gentle, like closing a door so a baby doesn't wake up.
Use "sotto" for gentleness. "Kosotto" implies you are actively trying to hide the action itself from people.
Using "kosotto" for a long, drawn-out secret operation.
"Kosotto" is only natural for very brief, quick actions. Use "kossori" or "hisoka ni" for sustained secrecy.
Examples
Examples
つまらない飲み会からこそっと帰った。
つまらない のみかい から こそっと かえった。
I sneaked away from the boring drinking party.
LiteralShows the action of leaving a place quickly to avoid being noticed.
誰も見ていない間に、ケーキをこそっと食べた。
だれも みていない あいだに、ケーキを こそっと たべた。
I took a quick, secret bite of the cake while no one was looking.
LiteralA brief action of taking or eating something without being caught.
彼は友達のスマホの画面をこそっと見た。
かれは ともだちの スマホの がめんを こそっと みた。
He sneaked a quick peek at his friend's phone screen.
VisualFocuses on the brief and secret action of the eyes (peeking).
先生にだけ、本当の理由をこそっと教えた。
せんせいに だけ、ほんとうの りゆうを こそっと おしえた。
I secretly told only the teacher the real reason.
FigurativeSharing information secretly so that others around do not hear.
カバンの中にプレゼントをこそっと入れた。
カバンの なかに プレゼントを こそっと いれた。
I secretly slipped the present into the bag.
LiteralThe quick action of hiding something without the recipient or others noticing.
Similar Words
こっそり
kossori
Doing something secretly or stealthily so that others do not notice. Also means secretly, but implies a more deliberate, sustained action.
こそこそ
kosokoso
Describes acting or speaking in a stealthy, secretive manner to avoid being seen or heard. Indicates repetitive, suspicious, or cowardly sneaky behavior.
そっと
sotto
Describes an action performed very quietly, gently, or stealthily to avoid making noise, or leaving a person or situation as is. Means 'gently' or 'quietly', not necessarily hiding the action from others.
Questions
Can I use kosotto for serious crimes or deep secrets?
Not usually. Kosotto has a quick, lighthearted feel. For serious or deeply intentional secrecy, kossori or hisoka ni are better.
What is the difference between kosotto and sotto?
Sotto means 'gently' (to avoid causing a disturbance), while kosotto means 'secretly' (to avoid being seen).
Are kosotto and kossori interchangeable?
In many contexts like sneaking away, they are interchangeable, but kosotto emphasizes that the action is quick and snappy.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2693490
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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