Translation and Meaning of: 引っ込む - hikkomu
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 引っ込む (hikkomu) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: hikkomu
Kana: ひっこむ
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2
Translation / Meaning: back off; sink; to dig
Meaning in English: to draw back;to sink;to cave in
Definition: The movement of things from outside to inside, especially of the gaze or parts of the body.
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (引っ込む) hikkomu
The word 「引っ込む」 (hikkomu) in Japanese combines two main elements: the verb 「引く」 (hiku), which means "to pull" or "to retreat", and the verb 「込む」 (komu), which can mean "to enter", "to emerge", or "to fill". This juxtaposition suggests the meaning of "to withdraw", "to retract", or "to sink", which are quite common interpretations of the term. When we talk about retreat or seclusion, 「引っ込む」 can refer to both physical as well as emotional and social actions.
In its essence, 「引っ込む」 implies a movement or state of withdrawal. This verb is frequently used in physical contexts, such as when something moves inward or retracts, but it can also have figurative connotations, such as someone isolating themselves socially. In social or emotional contexts, someone may choose to "withdraw" or "shut themselves off" from external interactions, illustrating how the Japanese language can capture not only actions but complex emotional and social states.
The origin of the word dates back to the combination of the two kanji components with their ancient roots in the Japanese language. 「引」 by itself is a kanji that carries the radicals of "bow" and "hand," emphasizing the idea of traction or pull, while 「込」 includes the radical that suggests inward movement or concentration. This rich etymological composition allows for reflection on how physical and abstract aspects are intertwined in Japanese vocabulary.
The use of 「引っ込む」 extends to various other areas. It can be used to describe how a physical object fits into a smaller space, or how a person chooses to avoid public life and disconnect from direct social contact. This flexibility in usage reflects one of the most interesting aspects of the Japanese language: the ability of simple words to capture a wide range of human experiences. It is always impressive to see how simple terms like this can really speak directly to the human condition in its various nuances.
Verbal conjugation of 引っ込む
See below a small list of verb conjugations: 引っ込む (hikkomu)
- 引っ込む - basic form
- 引っ込まない - negative
- 引っ込みます - educated
- 引っ込んで - Imperative form
- 引っ込もう - volitivo
Synonyms and similar words
- 引っ込む (Hikkomu) - Withdraw, retreat, hide.
- 退く (Suhu) - Withdraw, retreat (usually used in contexts of avoiding conflicts or undesirable situations).
- 退ける (Suteru) - To push back, to withdraw (to act so that something or someone retreats).
- 隠れる (Kakureru) - Hide (stay hidden, in a safe place).
- 隠す (Kakusu) - Hide (the act of hiding something, not necessarily a person).
- 潜る (Moguru) - Dive, hide beneath the surface (usually in a physical context, such as water or holes).
- 潜める (Hisomeru) - Hide, keep secret (the act of keeping something hidden, especially information).
- 退避する (Taihi suru) - Withdraw to a safe place, evacuate.
- 退去する (Taikyo suru) - Withdraw from a place, leave (usually used in formal or legal contexts).
Words related
Words with the same pronunciation: ひっこむ hikkomu
How to Write in Japanese - (引っ込む) hikkomu
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (引っ込む) hikkomu:
Example Sentences - (引っ込む) hikkomu
Below are some example sentences:
Kare wa hazukashisa kara hikkonde shimatta
He retreated out of shame.
He was removed from the embarrassment.
- 彼 - Japanese pronoun meaning "he".
- は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 恥ずかしさ - Japanese noun meaning "shame" or "shyness".
- から - Japanese particle that indicates the cause or reason for something.
- 引っ込んでしまった - Japanese verb meaning "to withdraw" or "to retreat" and the particle しまった indicates that the action has been completed in a negative or unwanted way.
Other words of the same type: verb
See other words from our dictionary that are also: verb
