覆います（おおいます、oおimasu）
- to cover

The Japanese verb 覆います (おおいます) means "to cover," "to hide," "to conceal," or "to envelop." It implies placing something over or on top of something else to shield it, obscure it, or protect it. The meaning can vary depending on the context, but the core idea of covering something remains consistent. It can refer to physical covering, like placing a blanket over someone, or more figurative covering, like concealing a secret. It's the polite form of the verb.

⚫︎箱に布を[覆いました] Translation: I covered the box with a cloth. ⚫︎彼女は顔を手に[覆い]ました Translation: She covered her face with her hands. ⚫︎事実を[覆い隠す] Translation: To cover up the truth (In this example it is combined with another verb)

This word is used in both formal and informal situations, but the polite form覆います is more common in formal settings. It is used when you want to describe the action of covering, concealing, or shielding something. The context determines whether the covering is physical or metaphorical. It is typically used for a singular action of covering.

The word 覆います is usually written in: ⚫︎ Hiragana: おおいます ⚫︎ Kanji: 覆います The okurigana (送りがな) is います. There are no other common ways to write this word. The stem is覆い.

⚫︎ 隠します (かくします): To hide, to conceal. ⚫︎ 包みます (つつみます): To wrap, to envelop. ⚫︎ 被せます (かぶせます): To put on, to cover (usually for physical objects). ⚫︎ 隠す (かくす): Informal form of to hide.

⚫︎ 現します (あらわします): To reveal, to expose. ⚫︎ 開けます (あけます): To open. ⚫︎ 明かします (あきらかにします): To reveal, to disclose.

彼は秘密を[覆い]隠そうとした。 ・Translation: He tried to hide the secret. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 覆い in combination with another verb to express the act of trying to conceal something.

その事故の真相はまだ[覆われた]ままです。 ・Translation: The truth about that accident is still covered up. ・Explanation: This sentence uses the past participle form of the verb, 覆われた, indicating that the truth remains concealed.

The verb 覆います is derived from the verb 覆う (おお-う), which is the base form and means "to cover," "to hide," or "to conceal." The suffix います is added to make the verb polite. The kanji 覆 originally depicted the action of covering, with the upper part suggesting a lid or cover and the lower part referring to the thing being covered.