Translation guide
The English word 'fathom' has two main uses: a unit of depth (6 feet) and the verb meaning 'to understand deeply.' This guide focuses on the verb sense, as the unit is rarely needed in everyday Japanese.
To comprehend something complex or mysterious after much thought.
The most direct and common translation for 'understand.' Works in most contexts.
彼の気持ちを理解するのは難しい。
It's hard to fathom his feelings.
Implies grasping the full picture or situation. Slightly more formal.
状況を把握するのに時間がかかった。
It took time to fathom the situation.
Emphatic: 'cannot possibly understand.' Stronger than just 'hard to fathom.'
その理由は到底理解できない。
I cannot fathom the reason at all.
A nautical unit equal to 6 feet (about 1.83 meters).
The Japanese unit 'hiro,' traditionally about 1.8 meters. Rarely used outside nautical contexts.
Unless you are in a historical or nautical context, avoid using 尋 (hiro). Use meters instead.
Literally 'struggle to understand.' Used when something is hard to fathom.
彼の行動は理解に苦しむ。
His behavior is hard to fathom.
水深は10尋です。
The depth is 10 fathoms.
In modern Japanese, depths are usually given in meters. Convert fathoms to meters (1 fathom ≈ 1.83 m).
水深は約18メートルです。
The depth is about 10 fathoms.