込
Crowded
| on’yomi | kun’yomi | Radicals |
|---|---|---|
| n/i | こ.む |  + 入 |
Meaning: Crowded
Water slides are always fun, that’s why you entered the water slide park. You’re so excited to ride them, but when you get in, you’re disappointed. It’s super duper crowded, with lines so long that you’ll never be able to get on a single water slide.
Imagine yourself walking in the entrance, and suddenly being shoulder to shoulder with everyone else. It’s like a concert with standing room only. You’ve never seen something so ridiculous. You can’t even figure out where the lines begin. This is the most crowded place you’ve ever seen!
Reading: n/i
The on’yomi reading for this kanji isn’t important enough to learn, so let’s look at the vocab and kun’yomi instead.
Vocabulary
Learn the meanings and readings of the vocab below, then keep truckin’.
a 込む（こむ）＝ To be crowded
- Meaning: Same as the kanji, but verb form.
- Reading: Remember how we use こういち to remember こ readings? Continuing off the previous story – you’re in this ridiculously crowded place. The weird thing, though, is that every person here is こういち. Imagine the same face on everyone, it’s absolutely terrifying.
a 込める（こめる）＝ Put Something Into Something
- Meaning: Can be physical things going into other things, or putting emotions into an action.
- Reading: If you know the こ from 込む you should know the こ for 込める as well.
a 申込む（もうしこむ）＝ To Apply
- Combo: 申 (say politely) + 込む (to be crowded)
- Meaning: This is like applying for school, or something like that. The kanji combo is like saying something is crowded with people speaking politely. That’s what applications are too. Piles of papers with people saying polite words to try to get what they want (job, school, etc).
- Reading: The kun’yomi readings of both, I’m afraid.
Notes
This is a weird kanji – it has a few different meanings that aren’t really crowded. For example, another common way this kanji is used is in regards to putting something inside something else. One way to help yourself remember this is the 入 kanji/radical. It means “to enter.” 入れる (いれる), the vocab, means “to insert.” That’s sort of a hint as to what this kanji means.