Translation guide
The phrasal verb "dig into" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: starting to eat eagerly, investigating or researching something, physically digging into a substance, and pressing or pushing into something. Each meaning is explained with natural Japanese expressions.
To begin eating food with enthusiasm, often after waiting or when hungry.
A straightforward way to say 'start eating'. It's neutral and can be used in most situations.
Everyone, please dig in before it gets cold.
Conveys eating eagerly or ravenously, similar to 'dig into' when someone is very hungry. It has a slightly informal, vigorous nuance.
He was so hungry that he dug into the meal.
Literally 'to set one's chopsticks to (food)', meaning to start eating. It's a common Japanese expression, but it specifically implies using chopsticks and is more about the initial action.
Please, don't hesitate to dig in.
To examine something in detail, such as a topic, problem, or records.
The most common and versatile verb for 'investigate' or 'look into'. It can be used for casual or formal contexts.
We need to dig deeper into that issue.
Literally 'dig down', this is a direct metaphorical equivalent to 'dig into' for investigating a topic in depth. Common in journalism and analysis.
Means 'to investigate in detail'. It's a safe and clear way to express 'dig into' when you want to emphasize thoroughness.
I'll dig into that matter.
Means to pursue or investigate thoroughly, often used in academic or formal contexts. It implies a deep, persistent inquiry.
To use hands, tools, or claws to penetrate or remove material like soil, sand, or a pile of things.
The basic verb for 'dig'. It covers most physical digging actions.
The dog is digging into the garden.
Means 'to dig into' or 'to dig through', emphasizing progress into a substance. Often used for tunneling or mining.
Literally 'thrust one's hand into', used when someone digs their hand into a bag, pile, etc. It's more about the action of reaching in.
To exert pressure on a surface or body part, often causing discomfort or leaving an impression.
Means 'to bite into' or 'to cut into', used for something that digs into flesh or a surface, like tight clothing or a sharp object.
This belt is digging into my waist and it hurts.
Means 'to push into' or 'to cram into'. It can be used when something is forced into a tight space or against a surface.
Describes something sinking into or becoming embedded in a surface, like a nail digging into wood. It implies a visible indentation.
In English, 'dig into' is a casual, friendly way to invite people to start eating. In Japanese, directly translating 'dig' (掘る) would sound very strange. Use expressions like 食べ始める or どうぞ召し上がってください (please eat) instead.
Now, please dig in.
調べる is the general term for 'look into' or 'check'. 掘り下げる specifically means to delve deeply, like a journalist or researcher. Use 掘り下げる when you want to emphasize depth and thoroughness.
Let's not just think about the surface, but dig deeper.
The reporter dug into the scandal thoroughly.
He spent years digging into the truth.
作業員たちは山を掘り進んでトンネルを作った。
The workers dug into the mountain to make a tunnel.
He dug into his pocket for the keys.
彼は指を粘土に押し込んだ。
He dug his fingers into the clay.
釘が壁にめり込んでいる。
The nail is digging into the wall.