heimlich
secretly
In a way that others are not supposed to notice; hidden, secret.
EXAMPLE
Er hat ihr heimlich einen Liebesbrief in die Tasche gesteckt.
He secretly slipped a love letter into her bag.
heimlich
secret
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Meanings
heimlich
secretly
Describes a feeling of inner joy or satisfaction that is not shown openly.
EXAMPLE
Heimlich freute er sich über das Missgeschick seines Konkurrenten.
Secretly, he was pleased about his competitor's mishap.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'heimlich' (secret/secretly) is related to 'das Heim' (home) and 'geheim' (secret). It describes an action that takes place hidden away, as if at home, and is not intended for the public.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat heimlich das letzte Stück Kuchen gegessen.
She secretly ate the last piece of cake.
Adjective or adverb
'Heimlich' (secret/secretly) can stand before a noun as an adjective or describe a verb as an adverb. As an adverb, it remains unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Er hatte einen heimlichen Wunsch.
He had a secret wish.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'verborgen' (hidden), 'heimlich' is often combined with verbs that describe a hidden action: 'heimlich rauchen' (to smoke secretly), 'jemanden heimlich beobachten' (to secretly watch someone), 'sich heimlich treffen' (to meet secretly), or 'heimlich verliebt sein' (to be secretly in love).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder haben sich heimlich getroffen, um ihren Plan zu besprechen.
The children met secretly to discuss their plan.
Inner feelings
When 'heimlich' describes a feeling, it often appears with verbs such as 'sich freuen' (to be pleased), 'lachen' (to laugh), or 'genießen' (to enjoy). It emphasizes that the joy or satisfaction is internal and not shown openly.
EXAMPLE
Sie musste heimlich lächeln, als sie an seinen Witz dachte.
She had to smile secretly when she thought of his joke.
Compare with
heimlich vs still
quiet / still
Still and heimlich can describe an action that someone wants others to notice as little as possible. Still emphasizes acting quietly and unobtrusively, while heimlich more strongly highlights that something is being hidden from others. Use still for acting without making a fuss and heimlich when something is deliberately kept secret.
heimlich
Sie verließ den Raum heimlich, damit niemand von ihrem Plan erfuhr.
She left the room secretly so that no one would find out about her plan.
still
Sie verließ den Raum still, damit sie die schlafenden Kinder nicht weckte.
She left the room quietly so she would not wake the sleeping children.
In real life
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