Japanese word

潜む

Pronunciation

Romajihisomu

Meaning

  • verblurk

Example

部屋の隅に猫が潜んでいます。heya no sumi ni neko ga hiso n de i ma su

A cat is lurking in the corner of the room.

Illustration for 潜む (lurk)

More examples

その話の裏には別の意図が潜んでいます。so no hanashi no ura ni wa betsu no i to ga hiso n de i ma su

Another intention is lurking behind that story.

Core concept

Expresses a presence that stays concealed from view, whether deliberately hidden or quietly present within something.

Common phrases

  • 表面下に潜むhyō men ka ni hiso mu

    lurk beneath the surface

  • 危険が潜むki ken ga hiso mu

    danger lurks

  • 問題が潜むmon dai ga hiso mu

    problems lurk

Similar words

隠れるkakureru: To stay out of sight, often by moving to a concealed place.
潜伏するsenpukusuru: To remain hidden for a period, especially while avoiding detection.
忍ぶshinobu: To hide oneself or move quietly so that others do not notice.

Definition in Japanese

人や動物などが、姿を見せないように隠れている。また、性質や力などが内に隠れて表に現れない。hito ya dō butsu na do ga sugata o mi se na i yō ni kaku re te i ru ma ta sei shitsu ya chikara na do ga uchi ni kaku re te hyō ni arawa re na i

Word origin

潜む (hisomu) is a native Japanese verb written with 潜 (sen, "to dive under or hide beneath"), whose meaning reflects a person or thing remaining out of sight.

Usage tips

  • In online English, lurk can mean reading discussions without posting, a use that does not involve physical hiding.

Other meanings

  • be hiddenverb
  • be latentverb
  • lie dormantverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word