Translation and Meaning of: 隠れる - kakureru

Have you ever wondered how to say "to hide" in Japanese? The word 隠れる (かくれる, kakureru) is an essential verb for those who want to express the idea of concealing oneself, staying out of sight, or even protecting oneself. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and uses in everyday Japanese, as well as tips for memorizing this term effectively. If you are learning Japanese or are just curious about the language, understanding 隠れる can open doors to more natural and context-rich expressions.

The meaning and use of 隠れる

隠れる (kakureru) means "to hide" or "to be hidden." Unlike 隠す (kakusu), which refers to the act of hiding something or someone, 隠れる refers to the state of being hidden. For example, a child hiding behind a curtain uses 隠れる, while the person who hides them would use 隠す.

This verb appears in everyday situations, such as when someone disappears from sight (木の後ろに隠れる - to hide behind a tree) or even in more abstract contexts, such as hidden emotions (感情が隠れる - hidden feelings). The flexibility of the term makes it useful in both informal conversations and writing.

The origin and writing of the kanji 隠れる

The kanji 隠 is composed of the radical 阝 (which indicates a relationship with hills or elevations) and 㥯 (suggesting something protected or restricted). This combination reinforces the idea of "hiding behind something." Historically, the character originated in China and was adapted to Japanese with the same central meaning.

A verified curiosity in the Kangorin dictionary is that 隠れる can also carry poetic nuances, as in classical expressions that describe the moon hiding among the clouds (月が雲に隠れる). This usage shows how the word transcends the literal meaning and appears even in traditional literature.

Tips for memorizing and using 隠れる

To reinforce 隠れる, an effective technique is to associate the kanji 隠 with "protection" situations. Repeating sentences like 猫が箱に隠れた (the cat hid in the box) out loud also helps. Another tip is to notice that the verb is intransitive – it describes who is hiding, not who is hiding them.

In Suki Nihongo, you will find real examples of 隠れる in authentic dialogues and texts. Observing how native speakers use the word in various contexts, from casual conversations to song lyrics, can accelerate your learning and avoid common mistakes.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 隠れる

• 隠れます - Polished form
• 隠れる - Neutrum form
• 隠れた - past form
• 隠れている - Continuous form

Synonyms and similar words

• 隠れる (kakureru) - Hide; to be hidden
• かくれる (kakureru) - Hide; to be hidden
• かくれんぼする (kakurenbo suru) - Playing hide and seek
• ひそむ (hisomu) - To be hidden; to remain concealed
• ひたすら隠れる (hitasura kakureru) - Hide incessantly; hide completely

隠れる

Romaji: kakureru
Kana: かくれる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: to hide; to be hidden; hide yourself; to vanish

Meaning in English: to hide;to be hidden;to conceal oneself;to disappear

Definition: To hide in order not to be seen.

Example Sentences - (隠れる) kakureru

See below some example sentences:

私は森の中に隠れる。

Watashi wa mori no naka ni kakureru

I hide in the forest.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 森 - Japanese noun meaning "forest"
• の - possession particle indicating that the forest is the object of the action
• 中 - Japanese noun meaning "inside"
• に - particle indicating the location of the action, in this case "inside the forest"
• 隠れる - Japanese verb meaning "to hide"