込 — To put in, to be crowded

Meaning

The kanji 込 (komu, komeru) is an important character primarily encountered at the N3 level of the JLPT. Its main meanings center on the concepts of "entering," "being included," "being crowded," or "being packed." Unlike many kanji with direct Chinese counterparts, 込 is a 国字こくじ (kokuji). This means it's a character created in Japan to reflect unique Japanese concepts or nuances not perfectly captured by existing Chinese characters. Understanding its components and context is key to grasping its full meaning.

Visually, 込 consists of two primary elements: the radical 辶しんにょう (shinnyou), which means "road," "path," or "to move/advance," and the character 入いる (iru), meaning "to enter" or "to put in." When these two components are combined, they naturally convey the idea of "moving into something" or "entering a space." The "moving" aspect from 辶 joins with the "entering" aspect from 入, leading to meanings like "to go into and stay," "to be filled," or "to become crowded." Imagine a path (辶) leading into a place (入) that then becomes full. This visual connection makes the kanji quite intuitive once its parts are understood.

The kanji 込 has a total of 9 strokes. While not assigned to a specific elementary school grade within the Japanese education system, it is frequently encountered and mastered by learners aiming for the N3 JLPT level. Its widespread use in common verbs makes it an essential character for everyday communication.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

As a kokuji (Japanese-created kanji), 込 does not have any standard On'yomi (Chinese-derived readings). Its readings are exclusively native Japanese, known as Kun'yomi. This is a common feature of kanji developed in Japan to express indigenous concepts.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The Kun'yomi are crucial for understanding 込, as they represent the kanji's native Japanese pronunciations. They are used either alone or as part of native Japanese verb conjugations. There are two primary Kun'yomi for 込:

• こむ (komu): This is an intransitive verb meaning "to become crowded," "to be packed," "to be busy," or "to go into." It often describes a state where a place is full or an action is completely performed.

• 道みちが込こむ (michi ga komu) — The road gets crowded.

• 店みせが込こんでいる (mise ga konde iru) — The store is crowded.

• 思おもい込こむ (omoikomu) — To be under the impression that, to convince oneself (e.g., that something is true).

• こめる (komeru): This is a transitive verb meaning "to put into," "to include," "to load (a gun)," or "to concentrate (one's energy)." It implies an action of placing something inside or imbuing something with feeling.

• 弾丸だんがんを込こめる (dangan o komeru) — To load bullets.

• 心こころを込こめて (kokoro o komete) — With all one's heart, wholeheartedly.

• 思おもいを込こめる (omoi o komeru) — To put one's feelings into (e.g., a gift, a letter).

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 込 is quite versatile and appears in many compound verbs and nouns. It often functions as a suffix indicating intensity, completeness, or an action directed inward. Here are some essential examples, categorized for easier learning:

Verbs indicating "entering," "inserting," or "immersing":

• 申もうし込こむ (moushikomu) — To apply for, to propose. This verb literally means "to put in a request."

• 飛とび込こむ (tobikomu) — To jump in, to dive into. Literally, "to fly and enter."

• 突つっ込こむ (tsukkomu) — To thrust into, to plunge into, to retort (a joke). This implies forceful entry or a sharp interjection.

• 差さし込こむ (sashikomu) — To insert, to plug in, to experience a sudden pain (like a sharp cramp). It describes the action of "inserting" something.

• 引ひき込こもる (hikikomoru) — To shut oneself in, to withdraw (as in social withdrawal). This can be understood as "pulling oneself inward/into seclusion."

Verbs indicating "filling," "packing," or "cramming":

• 込こみ合あう (komiau) — To be crowded, to be packed together. This describes a state of dense occupancy, where people or things gather closely.

• 詰つめ込こむ (tsumekomu) — To cram, to pack tightly, to stuff. It means "to fill and push in."

• 乗のり込こむ (norikomu) — To board (a vehicle), to get on (a train/bus). This means to "ride into" or "get aboard."

• 買かい込こむ (kaikomu) — To buy up, to stock up on. This means to "buy and put into storage/stock."

Nouns and other common expressions:

• 申もうし込こみ (moushikomi) — Application, entry, proposal. This is the noun form of 申もうし込こむ.

• 込こみ具合ぐあい (komiguai) — How crowded a place is, the degree of crowding. It describes the state or condition of being crowded.

• 込こみ入いった (komiitta) — Complicated, intricate (often used for situations or stories). This suggests something that has "entered into" a complex state.

Example Sentences

Memory Tip

To remember 込, visualize its components: the "road" or "movement" radical 辶しんにょう and the character for "enter" 入いる. Imagine someone moving (辶しんにょう) along a path and then entering (入いる) a small room. As more and more people do this, the room becomes crowded. Alternatively, think of "putting" (入いる) something "into" an enclosed space (辶しんにょう, symbolizing the boundary or path leading into it) until it's full. This combination clearly expresses "to enter and become full" or "to put into a state of fullness/crowding."