noun
Refers to a secluded or out-of-the-way spot, often indoors or in a landscape. Can be used for literal corners or figurative hidden places.
部屋のくまにほこりがたまっている。
Dust has gathered in the corners of the room.
心のくままで見透かされた気がした。
I felt as if they saw into every hidden corner of my heart.
noun
Describes a shaded or darkened area, often in a natural setting like under trees. Also used in the compound 日陰 (ひかげ). The kanji 暈 is sometimes associated with this sense but is not in common use.
木のくまでひと休みした。
We took a rest in the shade of a tree.
山のくまにまだ雪が残っている。
Snow still remains in the shadowy hollows of the mountain.
noun
dark circles (under the eyes); dark rings
Commonly used for the dark circles that appear under the eyes due to fatigue or aging. Often written in katakana as クマ in this sense.
最近寝不足で、目の下にクマができた。
Lately I haven't been sleeping enough, and I've got dark circles under my eyes.
コンシーラーでクマを隠す。
I hide my dark circles with concealer.
noun
Poetic or literary term for a bend or curve in a road, river, or similar feature. Not used in everyday conversation; 曲がり角 (まがりかど) or 湾曲 (わんきょく) are more common.
川のくまに小さな集落があった。
There was a small settlement at the bend of the river.
noun
shading; gradation; kumadori (kabuki makeup)
Abbreviation of 隈取り (くまどり). Refers to shading or gradation in art, and specifically to the bold makeup patterns used in kabuki for heroic or supernatural roles. The kabuki sense is often left as 'kumadori' in English.
See also: 隈取り
この絵のくまが立体感を出している。
The shading in this painting gives it a three-dimensional feel.
歌
In kabuki, the kumadori colors differ depending on the role.
Rare kanji form for the 'bend' sense. Usually written in kana.
Rare kanji form. Not recommended for learners.
The full form of the abbreviation くま in the shading/kabuki sense. 隈取り is more specific and formal.
Means 'shade' or 'shadow' in a more general sense, often used for shade from sunlight. くま in sense 2 is more literary or poetic.
The common word for a bend or corner in a road. くま in sense 4 is a poetic synonym.
The origin is uncertain. The word may be related to 隈 (くま) meaning 'corner' or 'hidden place', with extended meanings developing from the idea of a shadowed or recessed area. The kabuki makeup sense is an abbreviation of 隈取り.