込む【こむ】

The suffix ごむ込む (こむ) attaches to the stem (ます-form) of another verb to create compound verbs. It adds one of two core meanings depending on the verb it combines with.

Meaning 1: Movement inward – "into"

When combined with verbs of motion or action, 込む expresses the idea of moving something (or oneself) into a space or container. This can be physical or metaphorical.

Common verbs with this meaning include:

• とびこむ飛び込む – to jump/dive into
• もちこむ持ち込む – to bring into
• つめこむ詰め込む – to cram/stuff into
• ながれこむ流れ込む – to flow into
• なげこむ投げ込む – to throw into
• すいこむ吸い込む – to inhale, to breathe in
• まきこむ巻き込む – to get (someone) involved in, to drag into

Meaning 2: Deeply or for a long time – thoroughness / absorption

When combined with verbs describing mental or physical states, 込む conveys that the action is done deeply, thoroughly, or for a prolonged period. It often implies becoming absorbed or settled in the action.

Common verbs with this meaning include:

• かんがえこむ考え込む – to think deeply, to be lost in thought
• はなしこむ話し込む – to be absorbed in conversation
• ねむりこむ眠り込む – to fall into a deep sleep
• だまりこむ黙り込む – to fall completely silent
• おもいこむ思い込む – to be firmly convinced, to assume
• すわりこむ座り込む – to sit down and stay put
• おちこむ落ち込む – to feel depressed, to sink into low spirits

Notes

Compound verbs with 込む are very productive in Japanese – there are dozens of common combinations. The two meanings sometimes overlap: for example, おちこむ落ち込む literally means "to fall into" (inward movement) but is most often used to mean "to feel down" (a deep emotional state). Learning these as individual vocabulary items while understanding the underlying patterns of 込む is the most effective approach.