Translation guide
Ways to express hiding in Japanese, from physically concealing oneself or objects to keeping information secret.
I hid the money.
To conceal one's body or presence from view, often by moving behind something or staying out of sight.
Intransitive verb meaning to hide oneself. The most common and neutral way to say someone is hiding.
The child is hiding under the desk.
Literally 'hide one's body'. Slightly more formal or literary than 隠れる. Often used when hiding from danger or in a strategic sense.
He hid himself behind something.
To lurk or lie hidden, often with a nuance of waiting or being concealed for a purpose. Used for animals, people, or abstract things like danger.
To put something out of sight so others cannot find or see it.
Transitive verb meaning to hide something. The most common and neutral way to say you are hiding an object.
To keep facts, emotions, or secrets from being known by others.
Transitive verb also used for hiding abstract things like feelings, secrets, or information.
To stay hidden for a period of time, often to avoid being caught or found.
To hide out or lie low, typically used for fugitives, spies, or infectious diseases. Formal.
To obscure or block something from view using another object.
The thief hid from the police.
An enemy lurking in the shadows
I hid the present in the closet.
He tried to hide the evidence.
To put away or store something, often implying hiding it from view or keeping it safe. More casual and everyday than 隠す.
Put the toys away in the box.
He couldn't hide his anger.
The company was hiding the accident.
To keep something a secret. More explicit about the intention to not reveal information.
The plan is being kept secret.
To conceal or keep something hidden, often used for information or one's identity. Slightly formal or written.
Report while concealing the name.
The criminal is hiding out in the mountains.
To keep oneself hidden, often for a period of time. Similar to 潜伏する but slightly less formal.
He lay low for a while.
To block or obstruct view, light, or sound. Not exactly 'hiding' but often used when something is concealed by an obstacle.
The curtain is blocking the light.
To cover or conceal by placing something over. Can be physical or metaphorical.
Snow covers the ground.
(I) hide the cat.
To say someone is hiding (themselves), use 隠れる, not 隠す. 隠す would mean you are hiding that person, which sounds like kidnapping or concealment of a body.