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.
彼はプレゼントをクローゼットに隠した。
He hid the present in the closet.
鍵をどこに隠したの？
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.
おもちゃを箱にしまって。
Put the toys away in the box.
大事な書類は金庫にしまってある。
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).
容疑者は証拠を隠匿した。
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.
子供がカーテンの後ろに隠れた。
The child hid behind the curtain.
猫は箱の中に隠れている。
The cat is hiding inside the box.
Literally 'hide one's body'. A slightly more formal or deliberate way to say 'hide oneself'.
彼は警察から身を隠した。
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.
彼は真実を隠している。
He is hiding the truth.
彼女は怒りを隠せなかった。
She couldn't hide her anger.
To keep something a secret. A common phrase for intentionally not disclosing information.
このことは秘密にしてください。
Please keep this a secret.
To keep something confidential or between us. More casual than 秘密にする.
これは内緒だよ。
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.
To cover up and hide. Emphasizes physically covering something so it cannot be seen.
雲が月を覆い隠した。
Clouds hid the moon.
To block, obstruct, or intercept. Can be used when something blocks the view.
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.
隠すことは何もない。
I have nothing to hide.
彼女は両手で顔を隠した。
She hid her face in her hands.
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.