引(ひ)きこもり

ひきこもり

noun

social withdrawal, shut-in

1. social withdrawal, being a shut-in

The state of withdrawing from society and staying confined at home, avoiding social contact. Also refers to a person in this state.

息子(むすこ)が引(ひ)きこもりになった。

My son became a shut-in.

引(ひ)きこもりの人(ひと)を支援(しえん)する団体(だんたい)がある。

There are organizations that support people with social withdrawal.

日本(にほん)では引(ひ)きこもりが社会問題(しゃかいもんだい)になっており、中高年(ちゅうこうねん)にも広(ひろ)がっている。

In Japan, social withdrawal has become a social issue and is spreading to middle-aged and older people.

引(ひ)きこもり comes from the verb 引(ひ)きこもる (to shut oneself in). It can refer to both the condition and the person.

Cultural note

Recognized as a significant social phenomenon in Japan. The Japanese government defines it as staying at home and not participating in society for six months or more. It affects people of all ages, including the "8050 problem" where 80-year-old parents support 50-year-old children who are shut-ins.

Common collocations

引(ひ)きこもりになる: to become a shut-in
引(ひ)きこもり状態(じょうたい): state of social withdrawal
引(ひ)きこもり支援(しえん): support for shut-ins

Related Words

Compare: 世捨(よす)て人(びと) (hermit)

Compare: 出不精(でぶしょう) (homebody)

Compare: 冬(ふゆ)ごもり (staying indoors for winter)

Compare: 家(いえ)ごもり (staying home)

Compare: 対人恐怖(たいじんきょうふ) (social anxiety)

Related: 引(ひ)き込(こ)み (drawing in)

general

Added 2026.2.8 6:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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