Translation guide
The English phrase 'be buried' can refer to literal burial (in the ground, under rubble) or figurative senses (overwhelmed with work, hidden in a crowd). Japanese uses different verbs and constructions depending on the context, including passive forms, intransitive verbs, and idiomatic expressions.
To be placed underground or covered by something, often in a grave or by a natural disaster.
The body was buried deep.
The house was buried in mud and sand by the earthquake.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be buried' or 'to be filled up'. Focuses on the state of being covered, without specifying an agent. Often used for things naturally becoming buried.
The treasure was buried in the sand.
Passive of 葬る (to bury, to inter). Specifically refers to burial of a dead body in a grave or tomb, often with ceremonial connotations.
He was buried in his hometown cemetery.
To be so busy or overloaded that one feels buried under responsibilities.
Literally 'to be buried in work'. Uses the intransitive verb 埋もれる (to be buried, to be immersed). Very common for expressing being swamped.
He is buried in work every day.
Literally 'chased by tasks'. Conveys the feeling of being constantly pressured by tasks, similar to being buried.
To be obscured or unnoticed within a large group or amount of something.
To be ignored, overlooked, or consigned to obscurity.
Literally 'to be buried in darkness'. Idiomatic for being covered up, hidden from public knowledge, or forgotten.
The incident was buried (covered up).
To be completely forgotten, left behind. Not literally 'buried', but conveys the result of being buried in obscurity.
Both are intransitive verbs meaning 'to be buried', but 埋まる (umaru) implies being completely covered or filled in (e.g., a hole filled with dirt), while 埋もれる (umoreru) suggests being buried within a mass or substance (e.g., buried in sand, snow, or work). 埋もれる is more common for figurative uses.
While 仕事に埋められる is grammatically possible, it sounds unnatural. Use 仕事に埋もれる or other idiomatic expressions like 忙殺される.
Passive of 忙殺する (to be worked to death). Stronger nuance of being extremely busy to the point of exhaustion.
I'm buried in back-to-back meetings this week.
I'm buried in tasks and have no time to rest.
On the internet, important information tends to get buried in noise.
His achievements were buried (forgotten).