Translation guide
Describes the state or lifestyle of withdrawing from society to live privately, often in a remote or quiet place. Japanese has several nuanced terms depending on whether the seclusion is voluntary, forced, religious, or modern (like hikikomori).
To express choosing to live apart from society, often in nature, for peace or simplicity.
Refers to retiring from public life to live in seclusion, often with a nuance of escaping worldly affairs. Common in historical or literary contexts.
彼は都会を離れ、隠遁生活を送っている。
He left the city and is living a life of seclusion.
Traditionally means retiring from one's occupation or family headship to live a quiet life, often in old age. Can imply a comfortable, voluntary withdrawal.
祖父は隠居して田舎で静かに暮らしている。
My grandfather has retired and lives quietly in the countryside.
Literally 'to abandon the world.' A dramatic phrase for renouncing worldly life, often associated with becoming a monk or hermit.
彼は世を捨てて山にこもった。
He abandoned the world and secluded himself in the mountains.
To describe a person, often young, who withdraws from social life and stays at home for an extended period.
Refers to the phenomenon or a person who shuts themselves in their home, avoiding social contact. Can be a noun or used as a verb (引きこもる).
彼は何年も引きこもりで、外に出ない。
He's been a shut-in for years and never goes outside.
A more formal way to say 'to isolate oneself from society.' Describes the state rather than the lifestyle label.
彼は社会から孤立して、部屋に閉じこもっている。
He has isolated himself from society and stays shut in his room.
To express living apart for religious practice, meditation, or asceticism.
Refers to ascetic training or discipline, often involving seclusion. Can be used for Buddhist monks or martial artists.
彼は山寺で修行している。
He is undergoing ascetic training at a mountain temple.
Literally 'to seclude oneself in the mountains.' Often implies spiritual or meditative retreat.
僧は悟りを開くため山にこもった。
The monk secluded himself in the mountains to attain enlightenment.
To describe simply residing far from others, without necessarily implying a philosophical withdrawal.
A neutral description of living in a place far from human habitation.
彼は人里離れた山奥に住んでいる。
He lives deep in the mountains, far from civilization.
Means 'remote place' or 'isolated area.' Often used in contexts like '僻地に住む' (live in a remote area).
彼は僻地で自給自足の生活をしている。
He lives a self-sufficient life in a remote area.
隠遁 (いんとん) is a literary term for escaping worldly life, often with philosophical or artistic connotations. 隠居 (いんきょ) is more about retiring from active duties, especially in old age. 引きこもり (ひきこもり) is a modern social phenomenon of acute social withdrawal, often involuntary or pathological.
隠遁生活は都会の喧騒から逃れる手段だ。
A life of seclusion is a way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
定年後は隠居して趣味に生きたい。
After retirement, I want to live a quiet life devoted to my hobbies.
引きこもりの若者が増えている。
The number of young shut-ins is increasing.
引きこもり carries a strong nuance of social pathology or avoidance. For a positive or neutral voluntary withdrawal, use 隠遁 or 隠居 instead.