陰・蔭・翳|かげkage[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounshade; shadow
   あの木きの陰かげに腰こしをおろしましょう。↗

   Let's sit down in the shade of that tree.
2. nounbehind (something); other side; back
   カーテンの陰かげに隠かくれているのは誰だれ？↗

   Who is hiding behind the curtain?
3. nounthe background; behind the scenes; behind someone's back
   陰かげで他人たにんの悪口わるぐちを言ゆうべきでない。↗

   You should not speak ill of others behind their backs.

   この事件じけんの陰かげに誰だれか黒幕くろまくがいるに違ちがいない。↗

   There must be someone behind this affair.
4. noungloom (in someone's expression, nature, etc.); darkness

• Synonym陰影いんえいWrittenWritten word for shadow or shading; also subtleties of meaning, as in 「陰影に富む」. 「陰」 leans toward shaded spots and the space behind things.
• Synonym日陰ひかげNeutralA spot the sun is not reaching at the moment; figuratively, a life kept out of the light. 「陰」 is broader and can also mean behind something or someone's back.
• SynonymシャドーNeutralLoanword for a shadow; mostly in eye shadow makeup and shadowboxing. In everyday speech use 「影」 or 「陰」.
• Synonym影かげNeutralA shadow cast by an object, or a figure or silhouette. 「陰」 refers to the shaded spot hidden from the light.
• Synonym物陰ものかげNeutralA hiding spot behind something, as in 「物陰に隠れる」. 「陰」 is more general.
• Synonym陰りかげりNeutralA shadowing or dimming; figuratively a sign of decline, as in 「景気に陰りが見える」.
• Synonym片陰かたかげWrittenWritten and rare; a shady spot out of the sun. Say 「日陰」 in everyday language.
• Related裏面りめんNeutralThe reverse side of something, or the hidden side of affairs, as in 「社会の裏面」. 「陰」 leans toward shaded, out-of-the-light places.
• Related裏うらNeutralThe reverse or back of something, the lining of clothes, or hidden facts. 「陰」 centers on the dark, shaded side away from the light.
• Related背後はいごNeutralBehind someone or something, or behind the scenes, as in 「背後関係」. 「陰」 can also mean doing things behind someone's back.
• Related後方こうほうNeutralThe rear or area behind something. 「陰」 focuses on the spot blocked from light or view.
• Related裏側うらがわNeutralThe reverse side, or insider details few people know, as in 「業界の裏側」. 「陰」 centers on the shaded side away from the light.
• Related後部こうぶNeutralThe rear part of something, such as the back of a vehicle. 「陰」 focuses on the dark, shaded area.
• Related背面はいめんNeutralThe back or rear surface of an object. 「陰」 focuses on the shaded area out of the light.
• RelatedバックNeutralLoanword for the back or rear, a background, or backing and support. 「陰」 leans toward the dark, shaded side.
• Related暗闇くらやみNeutralTotal darkness with no light at all. 「陰」 is not pitch-dark: it is shade where something blocks the light, and also behind something or someone's back.
• Related冥暗めいあんWrittenWritten and rare; deep gloom or darkness. Say 「暗闇」 in everyday language.
• Related後ろ側うしろがわNeutralThe back side or rear of something. 「陰」 focuses on the dark area blocked from view or light.
• Antonym陽ようNeutralAntonym in the yin-yang pairing: the bright, positive principle, and by extension open, public places.
• Antonym日向ひなたNeutralAntonym in light and shade: a sunny spot where the sun shines.

Use 「陰」 for a shaded spot out of the light, the space behind something, or behind someone's back. Pick 「日陰」 for a place out of the sun, 「影」 for a cast shadow, 「物陰」 for cover behind something, and 「陰り」 for signs of decline. 「陰影」 is written prose for shading or subtleties; 「暗闇」 is pitch darkness; 「シャドー」 is mostly eye shadow and shadowboxing; 「片陰」「冥暗」 are rare written words. The rest (「裏」「裏側」「裏面」「背後」「後ろ側」「後方」「後部」「背面」「バック」) are about backs, rears or hidden sides, not shade. Antonyms: 「陽」 and 「日向」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （かげ）ものに隠かくれて見みえないこと。