Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase to describe someone who is excellent at keeping secrets and never leaks private information.
- Means: Someone who does not talk about secrets or private matters easily.
- Used in: Describing trustworthy friends, colleagues, or professional discretion.
- Don't confuse: {口|くち}が{軽|かる}い (the opposite: someone who gossips).
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
Someone who is good at keeping secrets.
Cultural Background
In Japan, discretion is a sign of maturity.
Context is key
Use this to compliment someone's reliability.
Context is key
Use this to compliment someone's reliability.
Test Yourself
Which phrase means someone is good at keeping secrets?
彼は____。
{口|くち}が{堅|かた}い means tight-lipped/discreet.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
2 exercises彼は____。
{口|くち}が{堅|かた}い means tight-lipped/discreet.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsYes, but it sounds a bit boastful. Better to let others say it about you.
Related Phrases
{口|くち}が{軽|かる}い
contrastLoose-lipped
Where to Use It
Office Gossip
A: あの話、誰にも言わないでね。
B: 大丈夫、私は{口|くち}が{堅|かた}いから。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a padlock on someone's mouth. The lock is 'hard' (堅い) to break.
Visual Association
A person holding a key to their own mouth, smiling confidently because they won't spill the beans.
Story
Tanaka-san has a secret. He tells Sato-san. Sato-san never tells anyone. Tanaka-san says, 'Sato-san is {口|くち}が{堅|かた}い.'
In Other Languages
English: 'Tight-lipped' or 'To keep one's lips sealed'. Spanish: 'Ser una tumba' (to be a tomb).
Word Web
Challenge
Think of three people you know. Label them as {口|くち}が{堅|かた}い or {口|くち}が{軽|かる}い.
Review in 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week.
Pronunciation
Kuchi (mouth) ga (particle) katai (hard/firm).
Formality Spectrum
彼は{口|くち}が{堅|かた}い方でございます。 (Describing a friend's personality)
彼は{口|くち}が{堅|かた}いです。 (Describing a friend's personality)
彼は{口|くち}が{堅|かた}いよ。 (Describing a friend's personality)
あいつ、マジで{口|くち}堅いから。 (Describing a friend's personality)
Derived from the concept of a 'firm' mouth that does not open easily.
Fun Fact
The opposite, {口|くち}が{軽|かる}い, is often used as a warning to others.
Cultural Notes
In Japan, discretion is a sign of maturity.
“彼は{口|くち}が{堅|かた}いから信頼できる。”
Conversation Starters
あなたの友達で{口|くち}が{堅|かた}い人はいますか？
Common Mistakes
{口|くち}が{固|かた}い
{口|くち}が{堅|かた}い
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Ser una tumba
Japanese focuses on the mouth's strength; Spanish focuses on the finality of death.
Savoir garder un secret
French is literal; Japanese is idiomatic.
Dicht halten
German focuses on the action of sealing; Japanese focuses on the body part.
{口|くち}が{堅|かた}い
N/A
كتوم
Arabic uses a descriptive adjective; Japanese uses an idiomatic phrase.
Spotted in the Real World
“彼は{口|くち}が{堅|かた}いから安心だよ。”
Discussing who to trust with a crush.
Easily Confused
Often confused with {口|くち}が{堅|かた}い.
{口|くち}が{重|おも}い means someone who doesn't talk much in general, while {口|くち}が{堅|かた}い means they don't leak secrets.
Frequently Asked Questions (1)
Yes, but it sounds a bit boastful. Better to let others say it about you.
usage contexts
