Japanese word

隠居

Pronunciation

Romajiinkyo

Meaning

  • nounretired life

Example

祖父は隠居して、静かに暮らしています。so fu wa in kyo shi te shizu ka ni ku ra shi te i ma su

My grandfather is living quietly in retirement.

Illustration for 隠居 (retired life)

More examples

父は定年後、隠居の身で庭の手入れを楽しんでいます。chichi wa tei nen go in kyo no mi de niwa no te i re o tano shi n de i ma su

After retiring, my father enjoys taking care of his garden.

Core concept

Expresses the transition from an active social or working role to a quieter life with fewer public duties.

Common phrases

  • 隠居生活in kyo sei katsu

    retired life

  • 隠居の身in kyo no mi

    in retirement

Similar words

隠退intai: A withdrawal from public or professional duties into a quiet life.
引退intai: The act of leaving an active role or career permanently.
閑居kankyo: A quiet life spent away from public activity and worldly concerns.

Definition in Japanese

仕事や公の役割から退き、世間との関わりを減らして静かに暮らすこと。shi goto ya ōyake no yaku wari ka ra shirizo ki se ken to no kaka wa ri o he ra shi te shizu ka ni ku ra su ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 隠居 (inkyo) combines 隠 (in, "hide") with 居 (kyo, "reside"), linking retirement with withdrawing from active affairs.

Usage tips

  • 隠居 (inkyo) can refer to retirement from a family business or household leadership, not only retirement from paid employment.

Other meanings

  • retirementnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word