hikikomori en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˌhɪkikoʊˈmɔɹi/ (US)
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.
Meanings
- (uncountable) 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.
-
(countable) A reclusive person of this kind.
Many prefectural governments operate support centers for families of hikikomori, but they are staffed by nonspecialists. The priority is to help prise hikikomori out of their rooms and get them back to work, a solution that may leave psychological issues unaddressed.
2019 June 6, Motoko Rich, “Japan’s Extreme Recluses Already Faced Stigma. Now, After Knifings, They’re Feared.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 06 Jun 2019: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”).
[2018 November 13, Kate Julian, “Why Are Young People Having So Little Sex?”, in The Atlantic, archived from the original on 12 Jan 2019:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| hikikomori | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| hikikomoris | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| hikki | alternative, clipping | lexicographic |
Relateds
herbivore man · lying flat · freeter · NEET · celibacy syndrome · claustrophile
Translations (20)
fi hikky (phenomenon) · nl hikikomori (phenomenon) · id hikikomori (phenomenon) · fi syrjäytyminen (phenomenon) · pt hikikomori (phenomenon) · fi hikikomori (phenomenon) · pl hikikomori (phenomenon) · hy հիկիկոմորի (phenomenon) · ka ჰიკიკომორი (phenomenon) · mr हिकिकोमोरि (phenomenon) · es hikikomori (phenomenon) · ja 引き籠もり (phenomenon) · ko 히키코모리 (phenomenon) · ru хикикомо́ри (phenomenon) · cmn 蟄居 /蛰居 (phenomenon) · ca hikikomori (phenomenon) · pam magsarasarili (phenomenon) · gl hikikomori (phenomenon) · sv hikikomori (phenomenon) · it hikikomori (phenomenon)