Translation guide
The act of hiding something or keeping it secret. In Japanese, the best word depends on what is being concealed and why.
concealment (general)
To put something out of sight so it cannot be seen or found.
The most common verb for hiding something physically. Transitive verb (hides something).
He hid the present in the closet.
Intransitive verb meaning to hide oneself or be hidden. Used when the subject is the thing being hidden.
The child hid behind the curtain.
Formal or technical term for concealment, often used in legal or military contexts.
Concealment of information is important.
To not reveal something that is true, often to avoid trouble or protect privacy.
Also used for hiding non-physical things like facts, feelings, or mistakes.
He is concealing his age.
Literally 'to make a secret'. A common phrase for keeping something confidential.
Please keep this plan a secret.
To keep something hidden or not mention it, often used for information that is deliberately withheld.
To keep something hidden deep inside, often used for emotions or talents. Literary nuance.
To avoid being recognized or noticed, often for safety or stealth.
Literally 'hide one's body'. Used when a person hides to avoid detection.
He hid from the police.
To lie low or hide out, often for a longer period. Used for fugitives or undercover operations.
To conceal oneself stealthily; often used in historical or ninja contexts.
To hide proof of a crime or mistake to avoid consequences.
Formal term for covering up or concealing, especially in legal, corporate, or scandal contexts.
The company concealed the scandal.
To hush up or cover up a scandal or incident, often used in media or organizational contexts.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to bury in darkness', i.e., to cover up completely and permanently.
The scandal was buried in darkness.
隠す is the everyday word for hiding anything. 隠蔽 is a formal term specifically for covering up misconduct or information, often with a negative connotation.
隠蔽 is strong and implies a deliberate, often unethical cover-up. For neutral hiding, use 隠す.
The concealment of the evidence was a crime.
彼はその件については伏せている。
He is keeping quiet about that matter.
She concealed her sorrow in her heart.
犯人は山に潜伏しているらしい。
The criminal seems to be hiding out in the mountains.
The ninja concealed himself in the darkness.
彼らは事件をもみ消そうとした。
They tried to cover up the incident.