引きこもる
ひきこもる
verb (godan)
to withdraw; to shut oneself in; to stay indoors
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 引きこもる | 引きこもらない |
| Present polite | 引きこもります | 引きこもりません |
| Past | 引きこもった | 引きこもらなかった |
| Past polite | 引きこもりました | 引きこもりませんでした |
| て form | 引きこもって | 引きこもらなくて |
| ている present | 引きこもっている | 引きこもっていない |
| ている polite | 引きこもっています | 引きこもっていません |
| ている past | 引きこもっていた | 引きこもっていなかった |
| ている past polite | 引きこもっていました | 引きこもっていませんでした |
| Conditional ば | 引きこもれば | 引きこもらなければ |
| Conditional たら | 引きこもったら | 引きこもらなかったら |
| Volitional | 引きこもろう | — |
| Volitional polite | 引きこもりましょう | — |
| Potential | 引きこもれる | 引きこもれない |
| Passive | 引きこもられる | 引きこもられない |
| Causative | 引きこもらせる | 引きこもらせない |
| Imperative | 引きこもれ | 引きこもるな |
1.
to withdraw; to shut oneself in; to stay indoors
To seclude oneself at home or in a room, avoiding social contact and the outside world. Often used to describe both temporary withdrawal and the longer-term social phenomenon known as hikikomori.
Describes the act of withdrawing from society and staying indoors. While it can refer to simply staying home for a day, it is strongly associated with the social phenomenon of 引きこもり, where individuals — often young people — withdraw from social life for extended periods.
Usage
The て-form 引きこもって is very common, often followed by いる to describe an ongoing state. The noun form 引きこもり refers both to the phenomenon and to the person experiencing it.
Common collocations
- 家に引きこもる — to shut oneself in at home
- 部屋に引きこもる — to shut oneself in one's room
- 引きこもりがちになる — to tend to stay indoors
Cultural note
引きこもり is recognized as a significant social issue in Japan. The Japanese government defines it as a state of withdrawal from social participation lasting six months or more. Estimates suggest over one million people are affected.
Similar words
Related Words
Related:
籠もる (to shut oneself in (general))
Compare:
閉じこもる (to shut oneself in)
Compare:
籠城 (holing up)