Translation guide
The English verb 'submerge' covers putting something under a liquid, sinking or going underwater, and hiding or suppressing something. Japanese uses different verbs depending on whether the action is transitive or intransitive, and whether it's about physical immersion or metaphorical concealment.
To deliberately place an object or body part into a liquid so that it is completely covered.
Transitive verb meaning to sink or submerge something. Used when you intentionally put an object underwater.
彼は船を海に沈めた。
He submerged the ship in the sea.
Transitive verb meaning to soak or immerse something in liquid. Often used for food or cloth.
布を水に浸してください。
Please submerge the cloth in water.
Transitive compound meaning to cause something to be submerged or flooded. Often used for disasters or accidents.
洪水が村全体を水没させた。
The flood submerged the entire village.
To go beneath the surface of water, either intentionally or accidentally.
Intransitive verb meaning to sink or go underwater. Used for objects, people, or the sun setting.
潜水艦が静かに沈んだ。
The submarine submerged quietly.
Intransitive verb meaning to dive or go underwater, usually for a person or animal intentionally going under.
Intransitive compound meaning to be submerged or flooded. Often used for land or vehicles.
車が川に落ちて水没した。
The car fell into the river and submerged.
To conceal or keep something from being expressed or noticed.
Transitive verb meaning to suppress or hold back emotions, desires, or actions.
彼は怒りを抑えた。
He submerged his anger.
Transitive verb meaning to hide or conceal something. Can be used for feelings or identity.
Idiomatic phrase meaning to lock away deep in one's heart, implying submerging emotions.
その記憶を心の奥にしまった。
I submerged that memory deep inside.
To be completely absorbed or overwhelmed by something, as if submerged.
Intransitive verb meaning to be absorbed or immersed in an activity. Often used for work or hobbies.
彼は研究に没頭している。
He is submerged in his research.
Intransitive verb meaning to be buried or overwhelmed, often by work or tasks.
彼は仕事に埋もれている。
He is submerged in work.
沈める (しずめる) is transitive (you submerge something), while 沈む (しずむ) is intransitive (something submerges). Use the correct one based on whether there is a direct object.
Avoid directly translating 'submerge feelings' as 感情を沈める. Instead, use 抑える (おさえる) or 隠す (かくす) for natural Japanese.
He submerged deeply and caught a fish.
She submerged her true feelings.