覆う・被う・蔽う・蓋う・掩う|おおうoou[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
覆うFor beginners, 覆う is the recommended choice and the most common written form. It is the form to choose when writing this word.
被う被う is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it. Prefer 覆う when choosing a written form.
蔽う蔽う is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it. Prefer 覆う when choosing a written form.
蓋う蓋う is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it. Prefer 覆う when choosing a written form.
掩う掩う is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it. Prefer 覆う when choosing a written form.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto cover; to hide; to conceal; to wrap; to disguise
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 覆う（おおう） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 覆います（おおいます） |
| Negative (nai) | 覆わない（おおわない） |
| polite (masen) | 覆いません（おおいません） |
| classical zu / nu | 覆わず・覆わぬ（おおわず・おおわぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 覆った（おおった） |
| polite (mashita) | 覆いました（おおいました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 覆わなかった（おおわなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 覆いませんでした（おおいませんでした） |
| Te form | 覆って（おおって） |
| Potential | 覆える（おおえる） |
| Passive | 覆われる（おおわれる） |
| Causative | 覆わせる（おおわせる） |
| Causative passive | 覆わせられる・覆わされる（おおわせられる・おおわされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 覆えば（おおえば） |
| tara | 覆ったら（おおったら） |
| Volitional | 覆おう（おおおう） |
| polite (mashou) | 覆いましょう（おおいましょう） |
| Imperative | 覆え（おおえ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymカバーNeutralA loanword for covers, dust jackets and wrappers; also making up for shortcomings and cover versions. As 「カバーする」 it can also mean to cover or span an area.
- SynonymかぶせるNeutralPutting something on from above, as in 「帽子をかぶせる」. 「覆う」 focuses on enveloping the whole.
- Synonym覆い隠すおおいかくすNeutralStresses covering something so it stays hidden; figuratively, covering up facts. 「覆う」 focuses on covering or enveloping something entirely.
- Synonym覆い被せるおおいかぶせるNeutralCovering from above, but rare; in everyday speech use 「覆う」 or 「被せる」.
- Related包むつつむNeutralWrapping things in paper or cloth; also enveloping. 「覆う」 focuses on covering the surface or blanketing a whole area.
- Related隠すかくすNeutralHiding something so it is not seen or known. 「覆う」 focuses on covering the surface.
- Related着せるきせるNeutralDressing someone in clothes; also coating or plating, and pinning a crime on someone. 「覆う」 focuses on covering over.
- Related秘めるひめるNeutralKeeping feelings or abilities hidden inside, as in 「可能性を秘める」. 「覆う」 leans toward covering things physically rather than holding something within.
- Related隠匿いんとくWrittenWritten/formal legal term for concealing assets or harbouring criminals. 「覆う」 is neutral.
- Related秘匿ひとくWrittenWritten/formal, keeping something secret, as in 「秘匿情報」. 「覆う」 is covering.
- Related包み込むつつみこむNeutralWrapping something up entirely; figuratively, an atmosphere enveloping. 「覆う」 focuses on covering the surface.
- RelatedかけるNeutralIn its covering sense, laying something like a blanket on top, as in 「毛布を掛ける」. 「覆う」 emphasizes covering fully.
- Related伏せるふせるNeutralPlacing something face down, lowering the head or eyes; also concealing news. 「覆う」 is covering over.
- Related押し隠すおしかくすNeutralDesperately hiding the truth or one's pain, as in 「悲しみを押し隠す」. 「覆う」 mainly describes covering something physically, though it has figurative uses too.
- Related包み隠すつつみかくすNeutralWrapping something up so it cannot be seen; common in 「包み隠さず話す」. 「覆う」 is about covering.
- Related隠蔽いんぺいNeutralDeliberately concealing something unfavorable, as in 「事実の隠蔽」. 「覆う」 is neutral.
- Related遮蔽しゃへいNeutralBlocking light, vision or radiation, as in 「遮蔽物」. 「覆う」 is broader.
- RelatedかくまうNeutralHarbouring or sheltering a fugitive. 「覆う」 is physical covering.
- RelatedくらますNeutralHiding one's whereabouts or deceiving others, as in 「姿を晦ます」. 「覆う」 is covering.
- Related潜めるひそめるNeutralHolding one's breath, lowering one's voice, or lying low, as in 「息を潜める」. 「覆う」 is covering.
- Related押し包むおしつつむWrittenWritten/formal, enveloping or wrapping something entirely; in daily speech say 「包み込む」.
- Related掩蔽えんぺいWrittenWritten/formal, screening or shielding; also the astronomical term occultation. In daily speech say 「覆い隠す」.
- Related忍ばせるしのばせるNeutralQuietly hiding something on one's person or in a bag unnoticed, as in 「懐に短刀を忍ばせる」. 「覆う」 is covering.
- Antonym晒すさらすNeutralThe antonym on the hide-versus-expose axis: leaving something exposed to sunlight or public view.
- AntonymむくNeutralThe antonym on the covered-versus-bared axis: peeling off the outer skin to expose what is beneath.
Use 「覆う」 for covering or enveloping something entirely, as in 「霧が町を覆う」. To hide something out of sight use 「隠す」, to wrap it use 「包む」, to put something on top use 「被せる」, and for deliberate concealment use 「隠蔽」. The antonym is 「晒す」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
