geheim

Geheim is a German adjective meaning secret or hidden, applied to information, objects, or conversations that are not meant for public knowledge. The related noun form is Geheimnis, meaning secret or mystery. The sense of private and concealed information has old Germanic roots and the word has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch geheim and Danish hemmelig, reflecting a common historical concept of secrecy.

In everyday language, geheim appears in many compounds and expressions. Examples include ein geheimes Dokument (a secret document), Geheimhaltung (the act of keeping something secret), and Geheimdienst (intelligence service). The verb phrase geheim halten means to keep something secret or confidential.

In state and military contexts, Geheim is also a formal security classification for information. Government documents may be labeled with levels such as Vertraulich (confidential), Geheim (secret), and Streng Geheim (top secret). Access to information at the Geheim level generally requires specific authorization and a confidentiality obligation, known as Geheimhaltungsverpflichtung, as part of broader Geheimschutz procedures. The term thus functions both as a general descriptor of private material and as an official designation within information security systems.

Beyond official use, geheim remains common in everyday speech when referring to private matters, undisclosed plans, or any information intended to be kept away from public access.