hide

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is いん, and the kun readings are かくす and かくれる. It has 14 strokes. It appears in words for hiding something and something becoming hidden.
• Basic usage: 隠す is read かくす and 隠れる is read かくれる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 隠す / 隠れる
  • 隠す means hide or conceal and is read かくす. It describes hiding an object or concealing an emotion.
  • 机の引き出しに贈り物を隠す。 means “I hide the gift in my desk drawer.”
  • 隠れる means hide or be concealed and is read かくれる. It describes a cat or the moon becoming hidden from view.
  • 雲の後ろに月が隠れると、庭が急に暗くなった。 means “The garden suddenly darkened when the moon disappeared behind the clouds.”