noun, used as a prefix, noun
hidden; concealed; crypto-; unknown
Used as a prefix or noun to describe something that is hidden, secret, or not publicly known. Common in compounds like 隠れ家 (hideout) and 隠れファン (closet fan).
彼は隠れキリシタンの歴史を研究している。
He is researching the history of hidden Christians.
この町には隠れた名店がたくさんある。
There are many hidden gem shops in this town.
noun
Euphemistic noun for death, often used in the phrase お隠れになる (to pass away) for respected persons. The standalone noun 隠れ is less common but understood in context.
See also: お隠れ
祖父のお隠れから一年が経った。
A year has passed since my grandfather's passing.
Derived from the verb 隠れる (かくれる, 'to hide oneself'). The prefix/noun form 隠れ is the continuative stem (連用形) of the verb, used to form compounds.