引(ひ)っ込(こ)む

ひっこむ
verb (godan, intransitive)
to withdraw; to draw back; to stay indoors
1. to withdraw; to draw back; to recede
For something to move back or recede, like swelling going down or a turtle withdrawing into its shell.
腫(は)れが引(ひ)っ込(こ)んできた。
The swelling has started to go down.
2. to stay indoors; to retire from public life
To remain at home or in seclusion, not going out or appearing in public.
彼(かれ)は田舎(いなか)に引(ひ)っ込(こ)んで暮(く)らしている。
He has retired to the countryside and lives there.
3. to back off; to butt out; to stay out of it
Used to tell someone to stay out of something that doesn't concern them.
引(ひ)っ込(こ)んでろ！関係(かんけい)ないだろ。
Stay out of it! It's none of your business.

TRANSITIVITY: Intransitive verb (自動詞(じどうし)). Transitive counterpart: 引(ひ)っ込(こ)める.

CONJUGATION: Godan verb (-む type)

  • 引(ひ)っ込(こ)まない (negative)
  • 引(ひ)っ込(こ)みます (polite)
  • 引(ひ)っ込(こ)んで (te-form)
  • 引(ひ)っ込(こ)んだ (past)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 引(ひ)っ込(こ)んでろ！- Butt out! Stay out of it!
  • 引(ひ)っ込(こ)み思案(じあん) - shy, retiring disposition

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 腫(は)れが引(ひ)っ込(こ)む - swelling goes down
  • 田舎(いなか)に引(ひ)っ込(こ)む - to retire to the countryside
  • 熱(ねつ)が引(ひ)っ込(こ)む - fever goes down

RELATED:

  • 引(ひ)っ越(こ)す - to move (to a new house)
  • 引(ひ)っ込(こ)める - to withdraw, retract (transitive)

REGISTER:
Neutral to casual. Common in everyday conversation.

Related Words

Pair verb: 引(ひ)っ込(こ)める (transitive)
general
Added 2026.1.19 17:11 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
07000/07417_hikkomu