Secret emoji ㊙️
The secret emoji ㊙️ shows the Japanese kanji for “secret” inside a red circle. This guide covers its meaning, how to use it, and how to copy it on any device.
Published · Updated
What is the secret emoji?
The secret emoji ㊙️ shows a red circle with the white Japanese kanji 秘, which means “secret”. It’s officially called the Japanese “secret” button, and it belongs to the family of square and round button emoji used to label information or actions.
The kanji 秘 means “secret”, and in Japanese the symbol can mark something hidden or confidential. In messages, people use it to signal that something is private, confidential, or not to be shared further.
How people use the secret emoji
The secret emoji often flags hidden details in a playful way. It often appears after a spoiler warning, before revealing something surprising, or to mark a message as “for your eyes only”.
You might see it in group chats when someone shares a screenshot with sensitive information, or in captions teasing an upcoming announcement.
- Marking spoilers in film or book discussions
- Labelling private messages or personal notes
- Teasing a surprise or unannounced news
- Adding a playful “hush hush” tone to a message
- Highlighting confidential work updates or internal news
Compare Japanese “secret” button with similar emoji
| Emoji | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese “secret” buttonU+3299 U+FE0F | Red circle with kanji for secret; signals confidentiality | |
| informationU+2139 U+FE0F | Information symbol; provides helpful details | |
| input numbersU+1F522 | Blue square with “123”; represents numeric input | |
| A button (blood type)U+1F170 U+FE0F | Red square with “A”; labels blood type or grade |
How to copy and paste the secret emoji
To copy the secret emoji, select the symbol ㊙️ below and use your device’s copy command. You can paste it into messages, social posts, documents, or anywhere text is accepted.
On iPhone, tap and hold the emoji and choose Copy. On Android, long-press and select Copy. On desktop, highlight it with your mouse and press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac).
You can also type it using the emoji keyboard by searching for “secret” in the emoji picker; many keyboards also group it with other button emoji.
If you use the emoji frequently, consider adding it to your favourites or creating a text replacement shortcut on your phone so it’s always one tap away.
Other ways to signal secrecy with emoji
The secret button is a clear and concise way to mark something as confidential, but it’s not the only emoji that conveys secrecy. The zipper-mouth face and the shushing face are common alternatives when you want a more expressive “keep quiet” tone.
If you’re sharing a spoiler, pair ㊙️ with the eye emoji or the warning sign to draw attention. In playful messages, you might combine it with the winking face to suggest a hidden joke.
- Use ㊙️ alone for a straightforward “confidential” label
- Combine with the zipper-mouth face for an emphasis on silence
- Add the eyes emoji to hint that someone is watching
- Use the warning sign emoji before revealing a spoiler
- Pair with the lock emoji for a stronger sense of privacy
Because the secret emoji is a button, it works well next to other button emoji like ℹ️ or 🔢 when you’re creating a visual menu or labelling steps in a process.
Secret emoji in different contexts
In personal chats, ㊙️ can replace words like “confidential” or “between us”. It can soften a request to keep something quiet, making it feel less demanding than typing “don’t tell anyone”.
On social media, creators sometimes use it to tease unreleased content or to mark paid-subscriber-only information. It appears in bios and captions as a shorthand for “there’s more to this story”.
At work, it can mark internal notes or drafts that shouldn’t be copied into public documents, though a lock emoji or a formal confidentiality notice is usually clearer for professional settings.
Questions people ask
What does the secret emoji mean?
The secret emoji ㊙️ represents the Japanese kanji for “secret” and is used to label confidential or hidden information.
How do you type the secret emoji?
You can type the secret emoji by searching “secret” in your emoji keyboard or copying it from this page and pasting it into your message.
When should I use the secret emoji?
Use the secret emoji when you want to mark a message as private, flag a spoiler, or tease a surprise that shouldn’t be shared widely.
Is the secret emoji the same as the shushing face?
No, the secret emoji ㊙️ is a static symbol meaning “secret”, while the shushing face is a smiley that expresses the action of asking for silence.
Can I use the secret emoji for private information?
Yes, the secret emoji is commonly used to label private or sensitive content, though it’s more playful than a formal privacy warning.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the Emoji Directory editorial team, without ads or sponsorship. Meanings describe how the emoji is commonly used in public posts and messages, not an official definition. Names, code points, versions, keywords and translations come from the Unicode Emoji 18.0 and CLDR data; shortcodes from the gemoji project. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake or a new usage? Tell us, or read how the directory is made.
