Meaning
This article explores the N1 kanji, 隠. This character is fundamental to understanding concepts of 'hiding' or 'concealing' in Japanese. Essentially, 隠 means "to hide," "to conceal," "to secrete," or "to shelter." It captures the essence of anything out of sight, tucked away, or keeping a low profile.
Delving into its origins, the kanji 隠 is a phono-semantic compound, meaning it combines elements for both sound and meaning. It consists of two main parts: the radical 阝 (こざとへん – the 'hill' or 'mound' radical) on the left, and 艮 ("stopping" or "unyielding") on the right. The 阝 radical, derived from 阜 (hill/mound/enclosure) when it appears on the left, suggests a place for concealment, like behind a hill or within a secluded area. The component 艮 (read as ゲン or コン in other contexts) historically conveyed the idea of "stopping," "turning back," or even "unyielding." Together, 阝 (a place for concealment) and 艮 (stopping/turning away) conceptually form the idea of something being "hidden away" or "obscured from view."
Historically, 隠 is a simplified form of the older, more complex kanji 隱. You might still encounter 隱 in older texts or traditional contexts, but 隠 is the standard form used in modern Japanese. Its visual shape, featuring the 'enclosure' or 'hill' radical, strongly connects to its meaning of keeping something out of sight. Picture an object placed behind a barrier or inside a secluded space.
With 14 strokes, 隠 is a moderately complex kanji to write, reflecting its N1 JLPT level. Although it's a Jōyō Kanji (regularly used kanji), it's not assigned to a specific elementary school grade. Instead, it's typically introduced in junior high or high school as part of advanced Japanese language learning. Its complexity and nuanced meanings make it a rewarding character to master!
Readings
The kanji 隠 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings. Each is used in distinct contexts, and knowing when to use which reading is essential for truly mastering this kanji.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 隠 is イン (IN). This reading typically appears in compound words, often carrying a more formal, academic, or abstract nuance. You'll frequently see it in terms related to concealment, retirement, or metaphors.
隠居 (inkyō) — This means "retirement" or "living in seclusion." It often implies a more traditional, peaceful withdrawal from active life.
彼は定年後、田舎で隠居生活を送っています。
(Kare wa teinengo, inaka de inkyo seikatsu o okutteimasu.)
He is living a retired life in the countryside after reaching retirement age.
- 彼女は早めに隠居して、趣味に時間を使いたいと考えている。
(Kanojo wa hayame ni inkyo shite, shumi ni jikan o tsukaitai to kangaeteiru.)
She is thinking of retiring early to spend time on her hobbies.
隠蔽 (inpei) — Meaning "concealment" or "cover-up," especially referring to hiding facts, crimes, or evidence. It has a strong connotation of intentional and often illicit hiding.
会社は事故の事実を隠蔽しようとした。
(Kaisha wa jiko no jijitsu o inpei shiyō to shita.)
The company tried to conceal the facts of the accident.
- 証拠の隠蔽は許されない行為です。
(Shōko no inpei wa yurusarenai kōi desu.)
The concealment of evidence is an unforgivable act.
隠喩 (inyu) — This term refers to "metaphor" or "figurative expression." It's about expressing something by implicitly comparing it to something else, thus "hiding" the direct comparison.
その詩には美しい隠喩が多く使われている。
(Sono shi ni wa utsukushii inyu ga ōku tsukawareteiru.)
Many beautiful metaphors are used in that poem.
- 彼の言葉は隠喩に満ちていて、理解するのが難しい時もある。
(Kare no kotoba wa inyu ni michiteite, rikai suru no ga muzukashii toki mo aru.)
His words are full of metaphors, making them sometimes difficult to understand.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings directly link 隠 to native Japanese verbs and adjectives, offering its most common and versatile uses. These are often seen with okurigana (送りがな), the trailing hiragana that complete the word.
かく.す (kaku.su) — This is a transitive verb meaning "to hide," "to conceal," or "to put out of sight." You are actively doing the hiding!
財布を机の引き出しに隠した。
(Saifu o tsukue no hikidashi ni kakushita.)
I hid my wallet in the desk drawer.
- 彼は自分の過去を隠そうとしている。
(Kare wa jibun no kako o kakusō to shiteiru.)
He is trying to hide his past.
- 大事なものを隠しておかないと見つかってしまう。
(Daiji na mono o kakushite okanai to mitsukatte shimau.)
If you don't hide important things, they'll be found.
かく.れる (kaku.reru) — This is an intransitive verb meaning "to hide oneself," "to be hidden," or "to disappear from sight." The subject itself is doing the hiding or is in a hidden state.
子供たちは公園で隠れて遊んでいた。
(Kodomo-tachi wa kōen de kakurete asondeita.)
The children were playing hide-and-seek in the park.
- 太陽が雲の陰に隠れてしまった。
(Taiyō ga kumo no kage ni kakurete shimatta.)
The sun hid behind the clouds.
- 山奥には様々な野生動物が隠れている。
(Yamaoku ni wa samazama na yasei dōbutsu ga kakureteiru.)
Various wild animals are hidden deep in the mountains.
Common Words & Compounds
This section explores more common and useful words featuring 隠. They're grouped by theme to help you understand their nuances and contexts.
Actions & States of Hiding
隠密 (onmitsu) — Secret agent, spy. This word evokes a sense of stealth and covert operations.
彼は敵国に潜入した隠密でした。
(Kare wa tekikoku ni sennyū shita onmitsu deshita.)
He was a spy who infiltrated the enemy country.
隠退 (intai) — Retirement, withdrawal from public life. Similar to 隠居, but it can refer more broadly to withdrawal from any public activity.
有名な俳優が芸能界から隠退すると発表した。
(Yūmei na haiyū ga geinōkai kara intai suru to happyō shita.)
A famous actor announced his retirement from the entertainment industry.
隠遁 (inton) — Reclusion, hermitage. Often refers to withdrawing from society to live a quiet, solitary life.
彼は山奥で隠遁生活を送っていた。
(Kare wa yamaoku de inton seikatsu o okutteita.)
He was living a life of reclusion deep in the mountains.
隠し通す (kakushitōsu) — To keep hidden completely, to keep secret all the way through.
真実を隠し通すことはできない。
(Shinjitsu o kakushitōsu koto wa dekinai.)
You cannot keep the truth hidden forever.
Hidden Things & Places
隠し場所 (kakushibasho) — Hiding place. A specific location where something is concealed.
子供たちはお菓子の隠し場所を知っていた。
(Kodomo-tachi wa okashi no kakushibasho o shitteita.)
The children knew the hiding place for the sweets.
隠し事 (kakushigoto) — Secret. Something that is deliberately kept hidden from others.
私には誰にも言えない隠し事がある。
(Watashi ni wa dare ni mo ienai kakushigoto ga aru.)
I have a secret I can't tell anyone.
隠れ家 (kakurega) — Hideout, secluded house. A secret or private retreat.
山奥に小さな隠れ家を見つけた。
(Yamaoku ni chiisana kakurega o mitsuketa.)
I found a small hideout deep in the mountains.
隠れん坊 (kakurenbo) — Hide-and-seek. A children's game involving hiding and seeking.
公園で友達と隠れん坊をして遊んだ。
(Kōen de tomodachi to kakurenbo o shite asonda.)
We played hide-and-seek with friends in the park.
Figurative & Abstract Hiding
隠れた才能 (kakureta sainō) — Hidden talent. An ability that hasn't been discovered or revealed yet.
彼にはまだ多くの隠れた才能があるだろう。
(Kare ni wa mada ōku no kakureta sainō ga aru darō.)
He probably still has many hidden talents.
隠れ蓑 (kakuremino) — Literally "invisibility cloak" or "straw cape for hiding," it figuratively refers to a cover, pretext, or disguise.
貧乏は彼にとって行動の隠れ蓑だった。
(Binbō wa kare ni totte kōdō no kakuremino datta.)
Poverty was a cover for his actions.
隠し味 (kakushiaji) — Secret ingredient (in cooking). A subtle flavor enhancer that isn't immediately obvious.
この料理の隠し味は何だと思う？
(Kono ryōri no kakushiaji wa nani da to omou?)
What do you think is the secret ingredient in this dish?
Example Sentences
Now, let's see 隠 in action with some practical sentences. Pay attention to how its different readings and forms are used!
子供たちは庭で隠れん坊をして遊んでいます。
Kodomo-tachi wa niwa de kakurenbo o shite asondeimasu.
The children are playing hide-and-seek in the garden.
彼は自分の秘密を誰にも隠そうとしていました。
Kare wa jibun no himitsu o dare ni mo kakusō to shiteimashita.
He was trying to hide his secret from everyone.
太陽が厚い雲の裏に隠れて、急に寒くなった。
Taiyō ga atsui kumo no ura ni kakurete, kyū ni samuku natta.
The sun hid behind thick clouds, and it suddenly became cold.
警察は事件の証拠を隠蔽した者を追跡しています。
Keisatsu wa jiken no shōko o inpei shita mono o tsuiseki shiteimasu.
The police are pursuing those who concealed evidence of the incident.
彼は都会の喧騒から離れて山奥で隠居生活を送っています。
Kare wa tokai no kensō kara hanarete yamaoku de inkyo seikatsu o okutteimasu.
He lives a retired life deep in the mountains, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
猫がソファの下に隠れて、私を驚かせた。
Neko ga sofa no shita ni kakurete, watashi o odorokaseta.
The cat hid under the sofa and startled me.
日本庭園には、美しく隠された小道が多い。
Nihon teien ni wa, utsukushiku kakusareta komichi ga ōi.
There are many beautifully hidden paths in Japanese gardens.
その小説には、社会への批判を込めた隠喩が含まれている。
Sono shōsetsu ni wa, shakai e no hihan o kometa inyu ga fukumareteiru.
That novel contains metaphors critical of society.
彼女は感情を隠すのが上手で、何を考えているのか分からない。
Kanojo wa kanjō o kakusu no ga jōzu de, nani o kangaeteiru no ka wakaranai.
She's good at hiding her emotions, so I can't tell what she's thinking.
Memory Tip
To remember 隠 (to hide/conceal), let's break it down into its components. Imagine the left radical 阝 as a "hill" or 'mound,' providing natural cover. On the right, 艮 can be seen as a person "stopping" or "turning away" behind that hill. Picture a shy person (艮) wanting to "hide" behind a "hill" (阝) from public view. Alternatively, visualize a 'gem' or 'treasure' (represented by 艮, often associated with 良い 'good' for a precious item) being 'hidden' away inside a 'mound' or 'vault' (阝). This imagery of a precious item tucked safely behind a barrier should help you recall the meaning of "hide" or "conceal" for 隠!