Hikikomori

//ˌhɪkikoʊˈmɔɹi// noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A Japanese phenomenon whereby a person becomes a recluse from society, typically remaining isolated in a single room at home for a very long period. uncountable
  2. 2
    A reclusive person of this kind. countable

    "The new taxonomy of Japanese sexlessness also includes terms for groups such as hikikomori (“shut-ins”), parasaito shinguru (“parasite singles,” people who live with their parents beyond their 20s), and otaku (“obsessive fans,” especially of anime and manga)—all of whom are said to contribute to sekkusu shinai shokogun (“celibacy syndrome”)."

Example

More examples

"After suffering from hikikomori for several months, Hiroshi turned into a johatsu without leaving a single trace."

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 引きこもり (literally “pulling inward, being confined”) and is often translated as “acute social withdrawal” or shut-in.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.