1.
behind something; in the shadow of an object; cover
The area hidden behind an object, where one cannot easily be seen. Often used to describe hiding or observing from behind objects. Composed of 物 (thing/object) + 陰 (shadow/shade).
Usage
物陰 refers to the concealed area behind any object — a wall, a tree, a pillar, etc. It is often associated with hiding, lurking, or watching secretly.
Common collocations
- 物陰に隠れる (hide behind something)
- 物陰に潜む (lurk in the shadows)
- 物陰から覗く (peek from behind something)
- 物陰から飛び出す (jump out from behind something)
Similar words
陰 alone means "shadow" or "shade" and is broader. 木陰 specifically means "shade of a tree." 物陰 implies concealment behind a physical object.