noun
Physical shade or shadow cast by an object, or a dark area where light is blocked.
木の陰で休む。
Rest in the shade of a tree.
壁に人の陰が映っている。
A person's shadow is cast on the wall.
noun
Refers to the area behind something, often hidden from view. Used in phrases like 陰に隠れる (hide behind).
ドアの陰に隠れて驚かせた。
I hid behind the door and surprised them.
彼は建物の陰に回った。
He went around to the back of the building.
noun
background; behind the scenes; behind someone's back
Figurative use for actions done secretly or out of public view, often with a negative connotation when referring to behind someone's back.
陰で悪口を言うのはよくない。
It's not good to speak ill of someone behind their back.
彼は陰で努力している。
He works hard behind the scenes.
noun
gloom; darkness (in expression or nature)
Describes a shadow of gloom, sadness, or darkness in someone's expression, personality, or atmosphere. Often used in literary contexts.
彼の顔に陰がさした。
A shadow fell over his face.
その知らせに心に陰が落ちた。
The news cast a gloom over my heart.
Rarely used kanji form.
影 typically refers to a visible shadow or silhouette, while 陰 emphasizes the shaded area or hidden aspect. 影 is more about the shape, 陰 about the darkness or concealment.
The kanji 陰 originally represents the shady, dark, or hidden side, contrasting with 陽 (light, sun). The reading かげ is native Japanese, and the exact derivation is uncertain.