蔭る

• Reading: かげる
• Romaji: kageru
• Kanji breakdown: 蔭/陰 (in/kage) — shadow, shade, overshadow
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɡe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To become cloudy; to darken; to become overshadowed; to dim (of light, mood, or prospects).

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated as 蔭ら-ない, 蔭り-ます. Also written 陰る. Used both literally (the sky clouding over, a face darkening) and figuratively (a business outlook growing gloomy, public sentiment shifting downward). Evokes subtle, gradual transitions from brightness to shadow.

Examples

1. 空が急に蔭ったので、洗濯物を慌てて取り込んだ。 The sky suddenly darkened, so she rushed to bring in the laundry.
2. 好調だった業績に蔭りが見え始め、社内の雰囲気が重くなった。 Signs of decline began to appear in the once-thriving business, and the mood in the office grew heavy.
3. 彼女の表情がふいに蔭り、何かを深く思い詰めているようだった。 Her expression suddenly clouded over, as though she was deeply troubled by something.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, narrative, emotions, business

Tone: subdued

Origin & History

Derived from 蔭/陰 (kage, shadow, shade) with the verb-forming suffix る. The kanji 蔭 depicts a place under a hill's shadow, conveying the idea of something moving into shade or obscurity.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated