Japanese word

こもる

Pronunciation

Romajikomoru

Meaning

  • verbhide away

Example

休みの日は部屋にこもります。yasu mi no hi wa heya ni ko mo ri ma su

I hide away in my room on days off.

Illustration for こもる (hide away)

More examples

風邪をひいたときは、家にこもります。kaze o hi i ta to ki wa ie ni ko mo ri ma su

When I catch a cold, I stay home.

Core concept

Describes remaining inside a place and away from outside activity, often by choice.

Common phrases

  • 部屋にこもるheya ni ko mo ru

    stay in one's room

  • 家にこもるie ni ko mo ru

    stay indoors

  • 図書館にこもるto sho kan ni ko mo ru

    spend long hours in the library

Similar words

引きこもるhikikomoru: To stay indoors and withdraw from normal contact with society, usually for an extended time.
閉じこもるtojikomoru: To keep oneself inside a room or building and not go out.

Definition in Japanese

外に出ず、部屋や家などの内側にとどまる。soto ni de zu heya ya ie na do no uchi gawa ni to do ma ru

Word origin

こもる (komoru) is a native Japanese verb, traditionally written 籠る (komoru), with a core sense of staying enclosed inside rather than going out.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, こもる (komoru) often describes staying in a room or at home for a period and can sound more neutral than English hide away.

Other meanings

  • stay indoorsverb
  • shut oneself inverb

Opposites

Related words

  • こもりkomoristaying indoorsnoun
  • 引きこもりhikikomorishut-innoun

Word lists with this word