くま

noun

corner; nook; recess

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.

• 部屋へやのくまにほこりがたまっている。

  Dust has gathered in the corners of the room.

• 心こころのくままで見み透すかされた気きがした。

  I felt as if they saw into every hidden corner of my heart.

noun

shade; shadow; dark area

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.

• 木きのくまでひと休やすみした。

  We took a rest in the shade of a tree.

• 山やまのくまにまだ雪ゆきが残のこっている。

  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.

• 最さい近きん寝ね不ぶ足そくで、目めの下したにクマができた。

  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かくす。

  I hide my dark circles with concealer.

noun

bend (in a road, river, etc.)

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.

• 川かわのくまに小ちいさな集しゅう落らくがあった。

  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

• この絵えのくまが立りっ体たい感かんを出だしている。

  The shading in this painting gives it a three-dimensional feel.

• 歌か舞ぶ伎きのくまは役やく柄がらによって色いろが違ちがう。

  In kabuki, the kumadori colors differ depending on the role.