Translation guide
To isolate oneself physically or mentally, often to focus, avoid others, or withdraw from the world.
Expressing that someone stays in a room or place and does not come out, often for a long time.
The most common and natural way to say 'shut oneself away' in a room or house. Implies staying inside and not coming out.
彼は一日中部屋に閉じこもっていた。
He shut himself away in his room all day.
Often used for social withdrawal, especially for long periods. Can imply hikikomori-like behavior.
彼は社会から引きこもってしまった。
He shut himself away from society.
Specifically means to barricade oneself inside a place, often with a defensive or hostile intent (e.g., hostage situation).
犯人は銀行に立てこもった。
The criminal shut himself away in the bank.
Expressing that someone withdraws from social interaction or emotional engagement.
Literally 'shut one's heart/mind'. Used when someone emotionally shuts down or refuses to connect with others.
彼女は心を閉ざして、誰とも話さなくなった。
She shut herself away emotionally and stopped talking to anyone.
Literally 'shut oneself in a shell'. Metaphorical expression for withdrawing into oneself.
失恋してから、彼は殻に閉じこもってしまった。
After the heartbreak, he shut himself away in his shell.
Expressing that someone isolates themselves to concentrate on a task or for a retreat.
Often used when someone stays in a place to focus on something, like writing or studying. Can be used with a location.
作家は山荘に籠もって小説を書いた。
The writer shut himself away in a mountain cottage to write a novel.
Combines 'shut oneself away' with a purpose. Natural way to say you shut yourself away to do something.
試験勉強のために部屋に閉じこもって勉強した。
I shut myself away in my room to study for the exam.
閉じこもる (tojikomoru) is a general term for shutting oneself in a physical space, often temporarily. 引きこもる (hikikomoru) strongly implies social withdrawal and is associated with the social phenomenon 'hikikomori', where a person withdraws from society for an extended period.
Avoid directly translating 'shut oneself away' as 自分を閉める (jibun wo shimeru) or similar. These are not natural Japanese expressions.