Signification
Not telling anyone something
Contexte culturel
Sharing a secret is often accompanied by the phrase 'Тільки нікому не кажи' (Just don't tell anyone), which ironically often signals that the secret is about to spread. There is a strong cultural push for 'operational silence'. Keeping military secrets is seen as a high form of patriotism. In tight-knit village communities, 'keeping a secret' is difficult, leading to the sarcastic proverb 'Що знають двоє, знає й свиня' (What two people know, the pig knows too). Western-style NDAs are becoming common, but informal 'gentleman's agreements' to keep things secret are still highly valued.
Use 'Це' for everything
If you forget the gender of the secret, just say 'Тримай це в секреті' (Keep *this* in secret). It works for everything!
Don't forget the 'В'
Saying 'Тримати секрет' sounds like a direct translation from English and is a common marker of a beginner.
Signification
Not telling anyone something
Use 'Це' for everything
If you forget the gender of the secret, just say 'Тримай це в секреті' (Keep *this* in secret). It works for everything!
Don't forget the 'В'
Saying 'Тримати секрет' sounds like a direct translation from English and is a common marker of a beginner.
The 'Mogyla' Slang
If you want to sound like a native, after someone tells you a secret, say 'Я — могила' (I am a grave), meaning you will never speak of it.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'тримати'.
Ми _______ цей сюрприз у секреті.
'Ми' (we) requires the first-person plural ending '-ємо'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct phrase:
The idiom requires the preposition 'в' and the Locative case '-і'.
Match the Ukrainian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the pairs:
These are standard translations for these common expressions.
Complete the dialogue.
Олена: 'Це велика таємниця!' Іван: 'Не хвилюйся, я буду _______ __ _______.'
Since Олена said 'таємниця' (feminine), the pronoun should be 'її'. However, 'це' (this) is also very common and acceptable.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesМи _______ цей сюрприз у секреті.
'Ми' (we) requires the first-person plural ending '-ємо'.
Choose the correct phrase:
The idiom requires the preposition 'в' and the Locative case '-і'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are standard translations for these common expressions.
Олена: 'Це велика таємниця!' Іван: 'Не хвилюйся, я буду _______ __ _______.'
Since Олена said 'таємниця' (feminine), the pronoun should be 'її'. However, 'це' (this) is also very common and acceptable.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and in most professional settings.
No, it sounds unnatural. Always include the 'в' and use the locative 'секреті'.
'Секрет' is more common for everyday things (gossip, surprises), while 'таємниця' is for serious, formal, or poetic things.
You say: 'Ти вмієш тримати секрети?' or 'Ти можеш тримати це в секреті?'
Yes: тримав (masc), тримала (fem), тримало (neut), тримали (plural).
Because it's in the Locative case, which is required after the preposition 'в' when indicating a state.
You can just say 'Мовчи' (Be silent) or 'Не кажи нікому' (Don't tell anyone).
Yes, 'Тримайте пароль у секреті' is perfectly correct.
Use the past tense: 'Я тримав це в секреті роками.'
Yes, if discussing confidentiality, it is appropriate.
Expressions liées
Тримати язик за зубами
similarTo keep one's mouth shut.
Виказати секрет
contrastTo reveal a secret.
Тримати в таємниці
synonymTo keep in secrecy.
Зберігати мовчання
similarTo maintain silence.
