Entry
ひっそり
hissori
ひっそり describes a quiet and still state due to the absence of people, or a modest, inconspicuous way of living.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used primarily in two ways: first, to describe a place or atmosphere that is completely quiet and deserted, as if untouched by human presence. Second, it describes an action or lifestyle carried out quietly and modestly, avoiding attention or the public eye.
- Deserted and quiet places
- Modest and inconspicuous actions/lifestyle
Sense Map
Place and Atmosphere
Used to describe a place that is quiet, empty, and devoid of hustle and bustle.
ひっそりとした神社
Action and Lifestyle
Used for actions done without drawing attention, or a modest life away from the spotlight.
田舎でひっそりと暮らす
Usage Note
How to Use
ひっそりとする
Used as a verb to indicate the state of becoming or being quiet and deserted.
ひっそりとした + noun
Acts as a modifier to describe a noun (usually a place) as being quiet and still.
ひっそりと + verb
Acts as an adverb describing how an action is performed (quietly, inconspicuously).
How to Use
Common Phrases
ひっそりとした町
quiet town
ひっそりと暮らす
live a quiet/modest life
ひっそりと咲く
bloom inconspicuously
ひっそり静まる
fall completely silent
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Places (shrines, back alleys, empty classrooms) | neutral | Creates a peaceful, deserted vibe, which can sometimes feel a bit lonely or mysterious. |
| Lifestyle | positive | Often implies a deliberate choice to live peacefully and humbly, away from societal pressures. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しんと しんと / similar | Use when you want to emphasize that there is absolutely zero sound (deathly silence). | Hissori emphasizes the lack of human activity or an unassuming attitude, whereas shinto is purely about the absence of physical noise. | しんと静まる |
そっと そっと / nearby | Use when performing a physical action gently and carefully to avoid making noise or disturbing others. | Hissori is a state of an environment or lifestyle; sotto is an intentional, gentle physical action. | そっとドアを閉める |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using hissori to describe a person's innately quiet personality.
Hissori describes places, atmospheres, or lifestyles. For a quiet personality, use おとなしい (otonashii).
Telling someone to 'be hissori'.
Hissori is not a command. If you want someone to be quiet, use 静かにして (shizuka ni shite).
Examples
Examples
夜の学校はひっそりとしていて、少し怖かった。
夜(よる)の学校(がっこう)は[ひっそり]としていて、少(すこ)し怖(こわ)かった。
The school at night was quiet and deserted, which was a little scary.
LiteralShows the state of a place that is deserted of human activity.
彼は退職後、山奥でひっそりと暮らしている。
彼(かれ)は退職(たいしょく)後(ご)、山奥(やまおく)で[ひっそり]と暮(く)らしている。
After retiring, he lives a quiet, modest life deep in the mountains.
FigurativeDescribes a lifestyle of staying away from the crowd and living modestly.
路地裏にひっそりと佇むカフェを見つけた。
路地裏(ろじうら)に[ひっそり]と佇(たたず)むカフェを見(み)つけた。
I found a cafe standing quietly tucked away in a back alley.
VisualShows the visual appearance of a building located in an inconspicuous place.
誰もいない神社はひっそりと静まり返っていた。
誰(だれ)もいない神社(じんじゃ)は[ひっそり]と静(しず)まり返(かえ)っていた。
The empty shrine had fallen completely silent.
LiteralEmphasizes the absence of people causing total silence.
彼女は目立たないように、ひっそりと席を立った。
彼女(かのじょ)は目立(めだ)たないように、[ひっそり]と席(せき)を立(た)った。
She left her seat quietly so as not to stand out.
LiteralUsed for an action performed so as not to draw others' attention.
Similar Words
しんと
shinto
A state of complete and profound silence, often with a tense, solemn, or eerie undertone. Both mean quiet, but shinto strictly focuses on the absolute absence of sound.
そっと
sotto
Describes an action performed very quietly, gently, or stealthily to avoid making noise, or leaving a person or situation as is. Sotto is used for careful physical actions to avoid making a sound.
がらん
garan
Garan describes a large space that is completely empty and deserted, or the clanging sound of a hollow metal object.
Questions
What is the difference between hissori and shizuka?
Shizuka is a general adjective for 'quiet' or 'not noisy.' Hissori is more specific, referring to the stillness caused by the lack of human presence.
Can I use hissori for a quiet voice?
No. For a quiet voice, use 小さな声 (chiisana koe) or speak そっと (sotto).
Is hissori a positive or negative word?
It is generally neutral. It can be positive when referring to inner peace or a humble lifestyle, but slightly negative if describing a place that feels uncomfortably desolate.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010550
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ヒソヒソ (hisohiso)
- Next entry
- ひょいと (hyoito)