陰(かげ)

かげ
noun
shade; shadow; behind the scenes
See also: 影(かげ) (shadow, silhouette (影))
1. shade; shaded area
An area not directly reached by light, providing shade or cover.
木(き)の陰(かげ)で休(やす)む。
To rest in the shade of a tree.
建物(たてもの)の陰(かげ)に隠(かく)れた。
I hid behind the building.
真夏(まなつ)の日差(ひざ)しが強(つよ)く、陰(かげ)のない道(みち)を歩(ある)くのは辛(つら)かった。
The midsummer sun was intense, and walking on a road with no shade was tough.
2. behind the scenes; in secret; behind someone's back
Out of sight, in a hidden or covert manner. Used to describe actions done secretly or support given from behind the scenes.
陰(かげ)で悪口(わるくち)を言(い)う。
To say bad things behind someone's back.
彼(かれ)の成功(せいこう)の陰(かげ)には妻(つま)の支(ささ)えがあった。
Behind his success was the support of his wife.
陰(かげ)で努力(どりょく)している人(ひと)がいるからこそ、このイベントは成功(せいこう)した。
This event succeeded precisely because there were people working hard behind the scenes.

Similar words

陰(かげ) and 影(かげ) are homophones written with different kanji:

  • 陰(かげ): shade, hidden side (the area blocked from light; the unseen side)
  • 影(かげ): shadow, silhouette (the dark shape cast by an object in light)

In practice, 陰(かげ) is about concealment and the hidden side, while 影(かげ) is about the visible dark shape.

Common collocations

Common expressions

general
Added 2026.3.2 16:49 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
14500/14593_kage