埋める・填める|うずめるuzumeru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
埋める埋める is the more common written form and the one beginners should use for the meanings in this entry.
填める填める is a less common written variant of 埋める; learners may encounter it, but it is not the form to choose by default.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto cover; to bury (e.g. one's face in hands); to submerge
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto fill (completely); to stuff; to pack; to cram; to fill up
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 埋める（うずめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 埋めます（うずめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 埋めない（うずめない） |
| polite (masen) | 埋めません（うずめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 埋めず・埋めぬ（うずめず・うずめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 埋めた（うずめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 埋めました（うずめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 埋めなかった（うずめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 埋めませんでした（うずめませんでした） |
| Te form | 埋めて（うずめて） |
| Potential | 埋められる（うずめられる） |
| Passive | 埋められる（うずめられる） |
| Causative | 埋めさせる（うずめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 埋めさせられる（うずめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 埋めれば（うずめれば） |
| tara | 埋めたら（うずめたら） |
| Volitional | 埋めよう（うずめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 埋めましょう（うずめましょう） |
| Imperative | 埋めろ（うずめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
顔を枕に埋める
埋まる describes the hole becoming filled (as in 穴が埋まる), while 埋める describes the deliberate act of filling the hole (as in 穴を埋める).
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym埋けるいけるWrittenWritten/formal prose. Buries things in the ground or banks coals in ash to keep a fire going; 「埋める」 is broader, also meaning to cover or fill.
- Synonym埋け込むいけこむWrittenWritten/formal prose. Buries things in ash, snow or earth; 「埋める」 is broader, also used for burying one's face in one's hands or a crowd packing a hall.
- Related満たすみたすNeutralFills a container to the top or satisfies conditions and requirements; 「埋める」 stresses covering things or filling every gap.
- Related埋葬まいそうWrittenFormal. Specifically the burial of a body or remains; 「埋める」 is the general verb for burying or covering anything.
- Related葬るほうむるNeutralBuries the dead, and figuratively covers things up, as in 「闇に葬る」; 「埋める」 is physical burying or covering.
- Related塞ぐふさぐNeutralStops up or blocks an entrance, exit or hole; 「埋める」 is for filling something full or covering it over.
- Related満ちるみちるNeutralIntransitive: something becomes full or brims; 「埋める」 is transitive, filling or covering a space with something.
- Related埋め尽くすうめつくすNeutralStresses covering or filling an entire space edge to edge, as in 「会場を埋め尽くす」; 「埋める」 states the covering or filling itself, without that added stress on total coverage.
- Antonym抜くぬくNeutralAntonym: pulls or draws something out, the reverse of burying or packing things in with 「埋める」.
Use 「埋める」 for burying, covering, or burying your face in your hands; 「埋め尽くす」 for packing something completely full; 「葬る」 or 「埋葬」 for burying the dead; 「塞ぐ」 for plugging a hole; 「満たす」 for filling something up.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
