1.
hermit; recluse; person who has renounced the world
A person who has withdrawn from society and worldly concerns. Can refer to historical hermits, monks, or modern people who live in isolation by choice.
彼は世捨て人のように暮らしている。
He lives like a hermit.
山奥で世捨て人のような生活を送っている。
He leads a reclusive life deep in the mountains.
定年後、都会を離れて世捨て人のように田舎で静かに暮らしたい。
After retirement, I want to leave the city and live quietly in the countryside like a hermit.
USAGE:
Literally "person who has abandoned the world" (世 = the world + 捨てる = to abandon + 人 = person). Has a literary, somewhat romantic nuance. Often used metaphorically rather than literally — describing someone who lives very simply or avoids social engagement.
NOTE: In Japanese literary tradition, there are famous 世捨て人 such as the poet 鴨長明, author of 方丈記.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 隠者: hermit, recluse — more formal, literary
- 仙人: hermit, sage — mythical/supernatural connotation
- 引きこもり: shut-in — modern term, negative connotation