Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Bury" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "bury", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
埋める
うめる (umeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
ほうむる
ほうむる (hōmuru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "bury" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 埋める and ほうむる.
In Japanese, 埋める (うめる (umeru)) is typically associated with "to bury; to fill up; to plug (a gap); to make up for" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to burying objects underground, filling up holes/gaps, or making up for deficits or time gaps. Transitive verb. Opposing word: 埋まる. Often used as 穴を埋める or 隙間を埋める. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To fill up! "I will fill up all the spaces between our fingers and lock them, Haruka-san!" ...っ! T-To fill the gaps of our fingers! B-Baka! That's called interlocking fingers.
On the other hand, ほうむる (ほうむる (hōmuru)) maps to "to bury, to inter, to consign to oblivion, to put an end to" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Physically burying a body. A literal translation of "bury" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "埋める"
道路工事の作業員たちは、長年の使用で車道にできた危険な凹凸や窪みを土砂で平らに_______。
The road construction workers filled up flat with earth and sand the dangerous unevenness and depressions formed on the roadway through many years of use.
Bilingual Context for "ほうむる"
彼は過去の過ちを心の中に葬り去った。
He buried his past mistakes deep in his heart.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "道路工事の作業員たちは、長年の使用で車道にできた危険な凹凸や窪みを土砂で平らに_______。" (Meaning: "The road construction workers filled up flat with earth and sand the dangerous unevenness and depressions formed on the roadway through many years of use.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "埋める" fits here because it means "to bury; to fill up; to plug (a gap); to make up for" in the context of: "The road construction workers filled up flat with earth and sand the dangerous unevenness and depressions formed on the roadway through many years of use.". "ほうむる" represents "to bury, to inter, to consign to oblivion, to put an end to".