hikikomori
/hɪ.ki.koʊˈmɔː.ri/
Japanese Origin
Society
Original Word
引きこもり
Hiragana (hikikomori)
Entered English
2000s
First recorded usage in English
The Story Behind "hikikomori"
From Japanese 'hikikomori' (引きこもり), literally 'pulling inward', referring to people who withdraw from social life, often staying in their rooms for months or years. The phenomenon was first identified in Japan in the 1990s.
Example Usage
"Social workers are developing programs to help hikikomori reintegrate into society."