Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 9: 13/22

()む ②Remain, To do thoroughly, Deeply, Intensely

Structure

Verb[stem]+ ()

Details

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About 込む ②

In Japanese, the う - Verb ()む 'to jam into' is frequently used as a suffix to convey several different meanings. The primary meanings are as follows:

(A) ()む - To enter completely into doing (A), or the state of being in (A).

(A) ()む - To enter a state of doing (A) that will not be considered complete until 'success'.

(A) ()む - To enter a state of doing (A) that cannot be escaped from.

In this lesson, we will exclusively focus on the second and third meanings, which are usually translated as 'to remain in (A)', 'to thoroughly do (A)', 'to do (A) deeply', or 'to do (A) intensely'. This form will be attached to the conjunctive form of other verbs.

Despite the multiple meanings, ()む can almost always be thought of as 'jamming (B) into (A)'. This means that whatever the (A) action is, will be something that is not easily entered, but also not easily escaped from.

Examples

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    みんないっせいに()まり()んでいた

    At once, everyone sunk into an intense silence and remained silent.

    ノベル:「れつこは気分(きぶん)(わる)くなり、(すわ)()んだ。」

    Novel: 'Retsuko felt weak and sat down.' (deeply・thoroughly)

    (つか)れていたので、シャワーを()びずに(ねむ)()んだ

    I was tired, so I fell deeply asleep without taking a shower. (intensely・thoroughly)

    友達(ともだち)との(はなし):「(なに)長々(ながなが)(はな)()んでたの?」

    Chat between friends: 'What were you so intently talking about for so long?' (deeply・thoroughly)

    エッセイ:「熱心(ねっしん)にひとつの(こと)()()ことが必要(ひつよう)だと(おも)っている。」

    Essay: 'I think that devoting oneself deeply to one thing is important.'

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