Entry
こっそり
kossori
Doing something secretly or stealthily so that others do not notice.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes an action performed in a stealthy or secretive manner specifically to avoid detection by others. It emphasizes the active intention to remain unnoticed, rather than just being physically quiet.
- Acting stealthily to avoid detection
- Doing something in private/secret
Sense Map
Stealth & Sneaking
Doing something without wanting to be seen or found out, often to avoid rules or judgment.
夜中にこっそり家を抜け出す。
Positive Secrecy
Keeping an action private for a positive reason, such as planning a surprise or doing a hidden favor.
こっそりとプレゼントを買う。
Usage Note
How to Use
こっそり + verb
The most common pattern to describe a verb being done secretly or stealthily.
こっそりと + verb
Adding the particle と (to) makes the phrase sound slightly more formal or literary, but the core meaning remains identical.
How to Use
Common Phrases
こっそり逃げる
to escape secretly
こっそり見る
to peek secretly
こっそり食べる
to eat secretly
こっそり教える
to secretly tell / inform
こっそり抜け出す
to sneak out
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Evading rules or judgment | neutral | Extremely common for actions like sneaking out, eating late-night snacks, or skipping class. |
| Surprises and hidden kindness | positive | Used when preparing gifts, telling a secret to a friend, or doing a favor without seeking praise. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
そっと そっと / nearby | Used when doing something gently and quietly to avoid disturbing someone or damaging something. | そっと (sotto) focuses on gentleness and quietness to avoid causing a disturbance, whereas こっそり is specifically about keeping the action a secret. | ドアをそっと閉める。 |
こそこそ こそこそ / nearby | Used for suspicious, sneaky behavior or whispering in a negative way. | こそこそ (kosokoso) carries a more suspicious, negative, or guilty nuance. こっそり is neutral regarding the intent to keep a secret. | こそこそ話す。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'kossori' to describe natural quietness (e.g., snow falling quietly).
Kossori requires a conscious agent who intends to hide their action. For natural quietness without intent, use words like 静かに (shizuka ni).
Assuming it only means doing something bad.
While often used for mischievous acts, it is perfectly natural to use 'kossori' for positive secrets, like making a surprise gift.
Examples
Examples
夜中にこっそり冷蔵庫のケーキを食べた。
よなかに こっそり れいぞうこの ケーキを たべた。
I secretly ate the cake from the fridge in the middle of the night.
LiteralA very common example of doing something slightly mischievous.
授業中、こっそり携帯を見た。
じゅぎょうちゅう、こっそり けいたいを みた。
I secretly peeked at my phone during class.
LiteralAn action of hiding something from the teacher.
彼はこっそり会議室を抜け出した。
かれは こっそり かいぎしつを ぬけだした。
He secretly sneaked out of the meeting room.
LiteralDescribes someone leaving without being noticed.
テストの答えをこっそり教えてくれた。
テストの こたえを こっそり おしえて くれた。
They secretly told me the answer to the test.
LiteralSharing information secretly between two people.
サプライズのために、こっそりと準備を進めている。
サプライズの ために、こっそりと じゅんびを すすめている。
I am secretly making preparations for the surprise.
FigurativeUsing kossori for a positive purpose (a surprise).
Similar Words
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. Doing something gently and quietly so as not to disturb.
こそこそ
kosokoso
Describes acting or speaking in a stealthy, secretive manner to avoid being seen or heard. Sneaky or suspicious behavior.
Questions
What is the difference between こっそり (kossori) and ひそかに (hisoka ni)?
Both mean 'secretly', but ひそかに (hisoka ni) is much more formal and often used in written Japanese, news, or literature. こっそり is the everyday conversational term.
Can I use the particle と after こっそり?
Yes, こっそりと (kossori to) is perfectly natural. Adding と slightly emphasizes the manner in which the action is done and sounds a bit more structured.
Does こっそり always involve other people?
Yes, implicitly. Doing something 'kossori' implies there is someone else you are hiding the action from.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1004520
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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