Translation and Meaning of: 埋まる - uzumaru

If you have come across the Japanese word 埋まる (うずまる) and are curious about its meaning, usage, or origin, this article is for you. Here, we will explore the etymology of this expression, its pictogram, as well as tips for memorization and curiosities about how it appears in everyday Japanese life. If you use Suki Nihongo as a reference, you know that in addition to translations, we also provide practical examples and ready-made sentences for you to study in Anki or another spaced repetition system. Let’s uncover together the secrets of this word that carries meanings such as "to be buried," "to be surrounded," and even "to overflow."

Etymology and Pictogram of 埋まる

The word 埋まる is composed of the kanji 埋 (うず), which means "to bury" or "to cover," and the auxiliary verb まる, which indicates a resulting state. The ideogram 埋 alone already evokes a strong image: the radical 土 (earth) combined with 里 (village), suggesting something being covered by the soil. It is no wonder that this word evokes sensations of something being swallowed by the earth or completely filled.

An interesting detail is that, although 埋まる can mean "overflow" in certain contexts, its kanji does not have a direct connection to water. This shows how the Japanese language can assign broad meanings to the same character depending on the situation. Have you noticed how a kanji can carry entire stories in its strokes?

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

In everyday life, うずまる appears in very concrete situations. Imagine a snowstorm in Hokkaido: the roads can 埋まる in snow, becoming completely blocked. Or think of a packed baseball stadium, where the stands are 埋まる with fans. The verb conveys the idea of something being completely filled, with no space left for anything else.

A less obvious but equally fascinating use is when the word describes emotions. Someone might say they are 埋まる in work (仕事に埋まる), implying that they are completely absorbed in their tasks. Have you ever felt that way, so immersed in something that it feels like you are buried in it?

Tips for Memorization and Curiosities

To not forget the meaning of 埋まる, try to associate the kanji 埋 with vivid images. Visualize something being buried - whether by dirt, snow, or even by piles of work papers. This visual connection helps to cement the main meaning of the word. Another tip is to create absurd sentences: "The dog 埋まる in the mountain of toys that he dug himself." The more unusual the association, the easier it is to !

In Japanese internet culture, it is common to see searches linking 埋まる to natural disasters or extreme overcrowding situations. It also appears in discussions about time management, when people talk about schedules that are completely 埋まる with appointments. Do you see how a single word can encom everything from catastrophes to the little chaos of everyday life?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 埋まる

• 埋まる intransitive verb
• 埋まります Polite way
• 埋まりました past
• 埋まらない Negative
• 埋まれば Conditional

Synonyms and similar words

• 満たす (mitasu) - fill; satisfy
• 充たす (mitasu) - fill; satisfy
• 充満する (jumansuru) - to be full; to be saturated
• 満ちる (michiru) - fill oneself; be full
• 埋める (umeru) - bury; fill
• 埋め込む (umekomu) - incorporate; to bury (inside something)
• 詰める (tsumeru) - compress; fill
• 詰め込む (tsumecompu) - fill completely; put inside
• 詰まる (tsumaru) - to clog; to be full
• 満載する (mansaisuru) - load to the maximum; be fully loaded
• 満員になる (man'in ni naru) - be crowded; reach maximum capacity of people
• 満足する (manzoku suru) - to be satisfied; to feel satisfaction
• 満足感を得る (manzoku kan o eru) - obtain satisfaction; feel contentment
• 満足感を与える (manzoku kan o ataeru) - provide satisfaction; give the feeling of contentment