1.
behind someone's back; in secret; covertly
Doing something secretly or without the knowledge of the person involved, often with negative implications.
陰で悪口を言う。
To speak ill of someone behind their back.
陰で何をしているかわからない。
You don't know what they're doing in secret.
彼は陰でこっそり練習していたらしい。
Apparently he was secretly practicing behind the scenes.
2.
behind the scenes; out of the spotlight
Working or contributing quietly without public recognition, often with positive implications.
陰で支えてくれた人に感謝する。
I'm grateful to those who supported me behind the scenes.
成功の陰で多くの人が努力していた。
Behind the success, many people were working hard.
表舞台ではなく陰で活躍する人もいる。
There are people who are active behind the scenes, not in the spotlight.
Used as an adverbial expression meaning either "behind someone's back" (negative nuance) or "behind the scenes" (often positive, implying quiet support). The kanji 陰 means shadow, shade, or hidden side.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 陰で悪口を言う: to badmouth someone behind their back
- 陰で支える: to support behind the scenes
- 陰で努力する: to work hard out of the spotlight
- 成功の陰で: behind the success
SIMILAR WORDS:
- こっそり: secretly; stealthily — more casual, focuses on the sneaky action
- 裏で: behind the scenes; covertly — similar meaning but can imply more scheming
- 影ながら: from the shadows; quietly — a positive variant meaning discreet support
NOTE:
陰 (hidden side, shadow) and 影 (shadow cast by light) are homophones but written with different kanji. In this expression, 陰 emphasizes the hidden or unseen aspect.