Translation guide
The English word "den" can refer to a wild animal's lair, a cozy room, a hideout, or a group of cubs. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
A wild animal's home, such as a cave, burrow, or nest.
General term for an animal's den, burrow, or nest. Commonly used for small to medium animals like foxes, rabbits, and bears.
The fox returned to its den.
Broad term for nest, den, or lair. Often used for birds, insects, and some mammals. Can imply a constructed or natural dwelling.
クマは冬の間、巣で過ごす。
Bears spend the winter in their dens.
Specifically a cave or cavern used as a den. Suitable for larger animals or when emphasizing the cave-like nature.
ライオンが洞穴で休んでいる。
The lion is resting in its den.
A dwelling or habitat. Can be used for animal dens but is more general and slightly literary.
タヌキの住みかを見つけた。
I found a raccoon dog's den.
A small, comfortable room in a house used for relaxation, reading, or hobbies.
A study or home office. Often implies a quiet, private room with books. The closest equivalent to a 'den' in a house.
父は書斎で本を読んでいる。
My father is reading a book in his den.
Literally 'hobby room'. Used for a room dedicated to personal interests, similar to a den or man cave.
彼は趣味の部屋でギターを弾く。
He plays guitar in his den.
A relaxation room. Emphasizes comfort and unwinding, but less common as a set term.
くつろぎの部屋で映画を見る。
I watch movies in my den.
A hidden place where people gather for secret or illegal activities.
Commonly used for a hideout or secret base, especially for criminals or spies. Borrowed from English 'agitation point' but now standard.
警察は犯人のアジトを突き止めた。
The police located the criminal's den.
A hideout or refuge. Can be used for both innocent and illicit hiding places.
Den of iniquity or hotbed. Strongly negative, used for places where criminals or vice thrive.
A litter or group of young animals born to a mother at one time.
Refers to a mother animal with her young. Often used to describe seeing a group of cubs with their mother.
子連れのクマに注意してください。
Beware of a bear with her cubs.
Attach to animal name to mean 'young of that animal'. For example, 'クマの子' means bear cubs. Not a single word for 'den' but used when referring to the cubs themselves.
キツネの子が巣穴から出てきた。
The fox cubs came out of the den.
A litter (of animals). Technical or formal term for a group of offspring born together.
その雌ライオンは一腹の子を育てている。
The lioness is raising a litter of cubs.
The English word 'den' for a cozy room does not have a direct one-word equivalent in Japanese. Using 巣穴 (animal den) for a room would sound very strange. Use 書斎 for a study or describe the room's purpose.
アジト is specifically for criminal or spy hideouts and sounds gritty. 隠れ家 can be a secret getaway or refuge, not necessarily illegal. Choose based on nuance.
彼らは山の中に隠れ家を持っている。
They have a den in the mountains.
この地域は犯罪の巣窟だ。
This area is a den of crime.