Translation guide
The English verb 'hide' covers several distinct actions: concealing something, concealing oneself, and keeping information secret. Japanese uses different verbs for each, and also distinguishes between transitive (hiding something) and intransitive (something being hidden) pairs.
To put something out of sight so others cannot find or see it.
Transitive verb: to hide something. The most common and general word for hiding an object.
He hid the present in the closet.
Where did you hide the keys?
To put away, store, or tuck something out of sight. Often implies putting something in its proper place, but can also mean hiding it away.
Put the toys away in the box.
The important documents are kept (hidden away) in the safe.
Formal term for concealment, often used in legal or official contexts (e.g., hiding assets, evidence).
The suspect concealed the evidence.
To make oneself unseen, e.g., hiding behind something or staying out of sight.
Intransitive verb: to hide (oneself). Used when the subject is the person or thing that becomes hidden.
The child hid behind the curtain.
Literally 'hide one's body'. A slightly more formal or deliberate way to say 'hide oneself'.
He hid from the police.
To lurk, lie hidden, or be concealed. Often used for animals, threats, or abstract things lying dormant.
To not reveal facts, feelings, or information.
Transitive: to hide information, feelings, or facts. Same verb as for objects.
He is hiding the truth.
She couldn't hide her anger.
To keep something a secret. A common phrase for intentionally not disclosing information.
Please keep this a secret.
To keep something confidential or between us. More casual than 秘密にする.
This is just between us.
To conceal or withhold information, often used in the phrase 名を伏せる (to remain anonymous).
To block something from being seen, often by covering it.
隠す is transitive (hide something), while 隠れる is intransitive (something hides or is hidden). Compare: 本を隠す (hide a book) vs 本が隠れる (the book is hidden).
The game 'hide-and-seek' is かくれんぼ (kakurenbo), not related to 隠す directly. To say 'let's play hide-and-seek', use かくれんぼをしよう.
I have nothing to hide.
She hid her face in her hands.
The cat is hiding inside the box.
Danger lurks.
I'll keep the name hidden.
建物が景色を遮っている。
The building is blocking (hiding) the view.