Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hide" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hide", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
潜める
ひそめる (hisomeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
匿う
かくまう (kakumau)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hide" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 潜める and 匿う.
In Japanese, 潜める (ひそめる (hisomeru)) is typically associated with "to hide, to conceal, to lower (one's voice), to suppress (one's anger)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents To make something less noticeable or to keep it hidden. Often used with `声を潜める`.
On the other hand, 匿う (かくまう (kakumau)) maps to "to hide; to shelter; to harbor (a person)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 犯罪者や、追われている人などを秘密裏に隠し、保護するという意味合いが強いです。多くの場合、法的な問題や道義的な問題が伴います。. A literal translation of "hide" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "潜める"
彼女は人目を避けるように身を潜めた。
She hid herself as if avoiding people's gaze.
Bilingual Context for "匿う"
彼は警察に追われている友人をしばらく家に匿った。
He hid his friend, who was being pursued by the police, in his house for a while.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼女は人目を避けるように身を潜めた。" (Meaning: "She hid herself as if avoiding people's gaze.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "潜める" fits here because it means "to hide, to conceal, to lower (one's voice), to suppress (one's anger)" in the context of: "She hid herself as if avoiding people's gaze.". "匿う" represents "to hide; to shelter; to harbor (a person)".