Translation guide
The English verb 'bury' covers putting something underground, hiding it, covering it, or immersing oneself in an activity. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being buried and how.
To place something in the ground and cover it with earth, such as a dead body, a time capsule, or treasure.
General verb for burying something in the ground. Transitive.
The dog buried a bone in the garden.
They buried the treasure on the island.
Specifically for burying a dead body, often with ceremonial connotations. More formal/literary than 埋める.
He was buried in his hometown cemetery.
To bury by interment (as opposed to cremation). Technical term.
In that region, there is still a custom of burying the dead.
To put something under a pile or layer so it is no longer visible, e.g., buried under paperwork, buried in snow.
Intransitive verb meaning to be buried or covered by something, often used for being buried under snow, sand, or a pile of things.
The desk is buried under papers.
Transitive version: to bury something under a pile. Less common for non-earth materials, but possible.
Pattern for describing a state of being buried under something.
The room was buried in dust.
To become completely absorbed in something, e.g., bury oneself in work, bury one's face in a book.
To be absorbed in, to devote oneself to. Common for work, studies, hobbies.
He is burying himself in his research.
To be buried in, to be lost in. Slightly more formal, often used for being absorbed in work or a crowd.
She is buried in her work.
Literally 'to bury oneself in', used figuratively for immersing in an activity. Less common.
He buried himself in reading.
To deliberately ignore or hide something unpleasant, e.g., bury the hatchet, bury a memory.
To bury (a matter, a past), to consign to oblivion. Often used for scandals or dark pasts.
They buried their past conflicts.
Idiom meaning 'let bygones be bygones', literally 'wash away in water'. Used for forgiving and forgetting.
Let's bury the past.
To suppress or hold back (feelings). Not a direct translation of 'bury', but used when burying emotions.
He buried his anger.
To thrust or plunge something (like a knife, claw) deep into a surface or body.
埋める (umeru) is the general verb for burying anything in the ground. 葬る (hōmuru) is specifically for burying a dead person and carries a formal, respectful tone. In everyday speech, 埋める is used even for funerals unless you want to emphasize the ceremonial aspect.
While 埋める can mean 'to bury', it is not natural for figurative immersion. Use 没頭する (bottō suru) or 埋没する (maibotsu suru) instead. Saying 仕事に埋める is incorrect; you need 仕事に没頭する.
The house was buried in snow.
He buried the letter under a pile of documents.
爪が肉に食い込んだ。
The claws buried themselves in the flesh.