潜伏

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 潜伏 is read as せんぷく and is a noun and する verb for a person hiding from notice or a pathogen remaining latent in the body.
• Basic usage: A fugitive hiding in a cabin appears in 山小屋に潜伏する, while a pathogen lying dormant in the body appears in 病原体が体内に潜伏する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A person and a pathogen
  • Context distinguishes a person hiding from pursuit from a pathogen remaining unobserved within the body.
• Difference from 隠れる
  • Unlike the everyday verb broadly meaning to hide, this term formally suggests remaining concealed or latent for a period.