Translation guide
To withdraw from society or public life, often to a private or remote place. In Japanese, this is expressed through verbs that emphasize isolation, retreat, or shutting oneself away.
To voluntarily remove oneself from social interaction or public life, often for an extended period.
The most common modern term for shutting oneself away at home, often associated with social withdrawal (hikikomori).
彼は何年も部屋に引きこもっている。
He has been secluding himself in his room for years.
To retire from the world and live in seclusion, often with a nuance of seeking a hermit-like life.
彼は都会を離れて田舎で隠遁生活を送っている。
He left the city and is living a secluded life in the countryside.
To shut oneself in a room or house, emphasizing the physical act of closing oneself off.
一日中部屋に閉じこもって本を読んでいた。
I secluded myself in my room all day reading books.
Literally 'to abandon the world', implying renunciation of worldly affairs and living in seclusion, often for religious reasons.
彼は世を捨てて山奥に住むことにした。
He decided to seclude himself from the world and live deep in the mountains.
To stay away from others for a short period, often for focus, rest, or privacy.
To go away from human habitation, often to a remote natural setting for solitude.
週末は人里離れた山小屋で過ごした。
I spent the weekend in a secluded mountain cabin.
To be alone, often used when someone wants privacy or time to themselves.
少し一人になりたい。
I want to seclude myself for a bit.
To stay inside a place without going out, often used for working or concentrating.
To withdraw from everyday life for meditation, prayer, or asceticism.
To engage in ascetic training or spiritual discipline, often in seclusion.
彼は山にこもって修行している。
He is secluding himself in the mountains for ascetic training.
To stay in a temple or shrine for a period of prayer and seclusion.
彼は寺に参籠して祈りを捧げた。
He secluded himself in the temple to offer prayers.
引きこもる (hikikomoru) implies a long-term withdrawal from society, often with psychological connotations. 閉じこもる (tojikomoru) is more about physically shutting oneself in a space, and can be temporary.
彼は社会から引きこもった。
He withdrew from society.
彼女は部屋に閉じこもった。
She shut herself in her room.
The English phrase 'seclude oneself' can sound formal or literary. In Japanese, the most natural equivalent depends heavily on context. Avoid directly translating word-for-word; instead, choose the verb that matches the duration, purpose, and setting of the seclusion.
He is secluding himself in his study to write his thesis.