Hikikomori

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /hiːkiːkoʊmɔːri/

Definitions of hikikomori

noun a Japanese term referring to the phenomenon of social withdrawal and isolation, particularly among young individuals

Example Sentences

A1 Hikikomori is a term used in Japan to describe people who withdraw from society and stay at home for long periods of time.

A2 Some hikikomori individuals may have social anxiety or other mental health issues that make it difficult for them to interact with others.

B1 Family members of hikikomori often struggle to understand why their loved ones choose to isolate themselves from the outside world.

B2 There are varying degrees of hikikomori, with some individuals completely cutting off contact with the outside world while others may still communicate online.

C1 The phenomenon of hikikomori has sparked debates about the impact of modern society on mental health and the need for more support for those struggling with social isolation.

C2 Research on hikikomori suggests that interventions focusing on building social skills and providing mental health support can help individuals reintegrate into society.

Examples of hikikomori in a Sentence

formal The phenomenon of hikikomori, where individuals withdraw from society and isolate themselves in their homes, is a growing concern in Japan.

informal My cousin has been acting like a hikikomori lately, staying in his room all day and avoiding social interactions.

slang I feel like being a hikikomori sometimes, just wanting to shut out the world and stay in my own bubble.

figurative The artist's latest work explores the concept of emotional hikikomori, depicting the feeling of isolation and detachment from reality.

Grammatical Forms of hikikomori

past tense

hikikomori-ed

plural

hikikomoris

comparative

more hikikomori

superlative

most hikikomori

present tense

hikikomori

future tense

will hikikomori

perfect tense

have hikikomori-ed

continuous tense

is hikikomori-ing

singular

hikikomori

positive degree

hikikomori

infinitive

to hikikomori

gerund

hikikomori-ing

participle

hikikomori-ed

Origin and Evolution of hikikomori

First Known Use: 1990 year
Language of Origin: Japanese
Story behind the word: The word 'hikikomori' originated in Japan.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe a phenomenon of social withdrawal and isolation among young people in Japan, the term 'hikikomori' has since become more widely recognized and used internationally to refer to individuals who choose to isolate themselves from society for extended periods of time.