Readings: (Onyomi), こ・む, -こ・む, こ・み (Kunyomi)
Meaning: crowded, mixed, included, to be involved in, to go into
The kanji 込 is a kokuji (国字), a character made in Japan. It combines the radical 辶 (しんにょう – “movement, path”) with 込 (as a phonetic component, resembling 入 “enter” or 込む “to be included”). It inherently conveys the meaning of “entering, getting into, being included or crowded,” often appearing as a suffix to verbs to add nuance of “into,” “deeply,” or “fully.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 込 consists of 5 strokes. It starts with the 辶 (shinnyou) radical. First, draw the top horizontal stroke, then the vertical, then the dot inside the box, followed by the two strokes of the walking radical. Ensure the radical’s final stroke extends below the main body.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 辶 (しんにょう) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | Ungraded |
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- こむ (komu)
- -こむ (-komu)
- こみ (komi)
Common Words Using 込
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 込む | こむ | to be crowded, to be packed |
| 申し込む | もうしこむ | to apply for, to propose |
| 飛び込む | とびこむ | to jump in, to plunge into |
| 持ち込む | もちこむ | to bring in |
| 書き込む | かきこむ | to fill in (a form), to write in |
| 入り込む | はいりこむ | to get into, to become involved |
| 詰め込む | つめこむ | to cram, to pack tightly |
| 話し込む | はなしこむ | to get engrossed in conversation |
| 申し込み | もうしこみ | application, proposal (noun) |
| 割り込む | わりこむ | to cut in, to interrupt |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 電車がとても込み合っていた。
Kana: でんしゃがとてもこみあっていた。
Romaji: Densha ga totemo komiatte ita.
English: The train was very crowded.
Japanese: このフォームに必要事項を書き込んでください。
Kana: このフォームにひつようじこうをかきこんでください。
Romaji: Kono fōmu ni hitsuyō jikō o kakikonde kudasai.
English: Please fill in the necessary information on this form.
Japanese: 友達と長い時間話し込んでしまった。
Kana: ともだちとながいじかんはなしこんでしまった。
Romaji: Tomodachi to nagai jikan hanashikonde shimatta.
English: I ended up talking with my friend for a long time.
Japanese: 彼はプールに勢いよく飛び込んだ。
Kana: かれはプールにいきおいよくとびこんだ。
Romaji: Kare wa pūru ni ikioiyoku tobikonda.
English: He jumped vigorously into the pool.
Japanese: コンサートのチケットを申し込んだ。
Kana: コンサートのチケットをもうしこんだ。
Romaji: Konsāto no chiketto o mōshikonda.
English: I applied for concert tickets.
Japanese: 本棚に本を詰め込む。
Kana: ほんだなにほんをつめこむ。
Romaji: Hondana ni hon o tsumekomu.
English: To cram books into a bookshelf.
Japanese: このレストランはいつも混んでいる。
Kana: このレストランはいつもこんでいる。
Romaji: Kono resutoran wa itsumo konde iru.
English: This restaurant is always crowded.
Japanese: 彼はその計画に深く入り込んだ。
Kana: かれはそのけいかくにふかくはいりこんだ。
Romaji: Kare wa sono keikaku ni fukaku hairikonda.
English: He became deeply involved in that plan.
Japanese: 持ち込みの飲食物はご遠慮ください。
Kana: もちこみのいんしょくぶつはごえんりょください。
Romaji: Mochikomi no inshokubutsu wa goenryo kudasai.
English: Please refrain from bringing in outside food and drinks.
Japanese: 列に割り込むのはやめてください。
Kana: れつにわりこむのはやめてください。
Romaji: Retsu ni warikomu no wa yamete kudasai.
English: Please stop cutting in line.
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