noun
das Geheimnis, -se
secret
Etwas, das nicht jeder wissen soll und nur wenigen Personen bekannt ist.
The German word "Geheimnis" is a noun meaning "secret" or "mystery". It is composed of the adjective "geheim" meaning "secret" or "confidential", and the suffix "-nis", which turns adjectives or verbs into nouns indicating a state or result.
Similar words:
- "Rätsel" (riddle, puzzle, mystery)
- "Mysterium" (mystery, enigma)
- "Geheimhaltung" (secrecy)
Differences:
- Geheimnis focuses on something kept hidden or unknown to others—often a fact or information.
- Rätsel emphasizes something puzzling or to be solved—a problem or enigma.
- Geheimhaltung refers more to the act or process of keeping something secret rather than the secret itself.
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Examples
Das Geheimnis bleibt unter uns.noun
The secret stays between us.
Ein Geheimnis soll man nicht verraten.noun
One should not reveal a secret.
Ein Geheimnis zu teilen kann schwierig sein.noun
Sharing a secret can be difficult.
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