公然の秘密 (kōzen no himitsu: open secret)
public (1st 2 chars.) + secret (last 2 chars.)
The first two kanji break down as public + sort of thing. This word brings to mind Prince Charles’s carrying on with Camilla while married to Diana. In fact, one might say the following about that:
チャールズ皇太子とカミーラの関係は公然の秘密であった。
Chāruzu Kōtaishi to Kamīra no kankei wa kōzen no himitsu de atta.
Prince Charles’s relationship with Camilla was an open secret.皇太子 (kōtaishi: crown prince)
emperor + of highest rank + young manI know it’s tempting to see 太子 as “fat” + “child,” but Halpern says otherwise!
関係 (kankei: connection)
to be connected + to connect
営業秘密 (eigyōhimitsu: trade secret)
business, trade (1st 2 chars.) + secret (last 2 chars.)
The first two kanji break down as to conduct business + business.
密入国 (mitsunyūkoku: illegal immigration) secret + to enter + country
I like Breen’s definition of this compound: “smuggling oneself into a country”!
機密性 (kimitsusei: confidentiality)
secrecy (1st 2 chars.) + suffix meaning “nature”
One might think this referred to someone who was secretive by nature. But instead, it means “confidentiality.”
