込む

Into

Level 2Sounds Like komu

The auxiliary verb 込む（こむ） attaches to the masu-stem of other verbs to indicate either physical movement into a space or that an action is performed thoroughly or deeply.

How It Works

込む is a highly productive auxiliary verb that transforms a simple action into a compound verb with added depth.

1. Construction:
It attaches to the masu-stem (conjunctive form) of the primary verb.
Example: 飛ぶ（とぶ / to fly/jump）→ 飛び（とび）+ 込む = 飛び込む（とびこむ / to dive into）.

2. Physical Movement 'Into':
When used with verbs of motion, it emphasizes entering a space. Unlike the simple verb 入る（はいる）, 込む often implies a sense of force, speed, or being 'embedded' in the destination.

  • 書き込む（かきこむ）: To write into (a form/notebook).
  • 放り込む（ほうりこむ）: To throw into.

3. Thoroughness and Intensity:
When used with verbs of state or thought, it indicates that the action is done completely or that the person is 'absorbed' in it.

  • 考え込む（かんがえこむ）: To be lost in thought (deeply thinking).
  • 冷え込む（ひえこむ）: To get very cold (chilled to the core).
  • 煮込む（にこむ）: To simmer thoroughly/stew.

4. Conjugation:
Once combined, the new verb conjugates as a standard Godan (u-verb) ending in 〜む.

Examples (4)

  1. 暑かったので、プールに飛び込んだ。

    It was hot, so I dove into the pool.

    Word by Word: Hot was because, pool into jumped-in.

    Here, 込む shows physical movement into the water.

  2. 彼は何かを悩み込んでいるようだ。

    It seems like he is deeply worried about something.

    Word by Word: He (topic) something (object) worry-deeply-ing seems.

    Using 込む with 悩む（なやむ） emphasizes the depth and duration of his worry.

  3. このカレーは三時間も煮込んである。

    This curry has been simmered for three hours.

    Word by Word: This curry (topic) three hours even simmered-thoroughly-exists.

    In cooking, 込む indicates the thoroughness of the process. It is paired here with てある to show a resulting state.

  4. 名前をこの紙に書き込んでください。

    Please write your name on this paper.

    Word by Word: Name (object) this paper on write-into please.

    書き込む is the standard verb for filling out forms or writing information 'into' a space.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming 込む can be attached to every verb to mean 'thoroughly'.

    全部食べ込んだ。
    全部食べきった。

    While 込む is productive, many combinations are idiomatic. To express 'eating completely,' 〜きる is used instead of 込む.

  • Confusing the kanji with the verb for 'crowded'.

    道が込み合っている。
    道が混み合っている。

    Although related, 混む（こむ） is used for crowds or congestion, while 込む is used for compound verbs and 'including'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

込むLevel 2Into

Learn This First

To understand 込む, you need to know how to attach auxiliary verbs to the stem of a main verb. It is also helpful to understand how particles like に mark the destination of the action, as 込む often describes moving 'into' a space or state.

Words in This Pattern

込む