Translation guide
The English word 'immersion' covers several distinct ideas: being deeply engaged in an activity, the method of learning a language by surrounding oneself with it, and physically submerging something in liquid. This guide focuses on the most useful meanings for learners.
Describing a state of being completely absorbed or involved in something, such as a game, book, or work.
A noun meaning being absorbed or immersed in something, often used with する to mean 'to be absorbed in'. It implies a deep, focused engagement.
彼は読書に没頭している。
He is immersed in reading.
Similar to 没頭, but can also imply a sense of losing oneself in an experience, like in a movie or virtual reality.
その映画に完全に没入した。
I was completely immersed in that movie.
A very common phrase meaning 'to become absorbed in' or 'to be crazy about'. It's casual and widely used for hobbies, games, etc.
彼はゲームに夢中になっている。
He is immersed in the game.
Means 'to be enthusiastic about' or 'to be absorbed in'. Slightly more formal than 夢中になる, often used for hobbies or studies.
彼女はピアノの練習に熱中している。
She is immersed in piano practice.
Referring to the technique of learning a language by being in an environment where it is spoken, or by using it extensively in daily life.
The loanword directly from English, commonly used in educational contexts to refer to immersion programs or methods.
イマージョン教育は効果的だ。
Immersion education is effective.
A combination of 'language' and the loanword, often used to specify language immersion. Note: 'immersion' is kept in English.
言語イマージョンプログラムに参加した。
I participated in a language immersion program.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'to learn in an environment surrounded by the language'. This is a natural way to explain the concept without using loanwords.
留学して、その言語に囲まれた環境で学びたい。
I want to study abroad and learn in an environment immersed in the language.
The act of putting something completely into a liquid, or the state of being under water.
A technical term for immersion or soaking, often used in scientific or industrial contexts.
サンプルを液体に浸漬する。
Immerse the sample in the liquid.
Means 'submersion in water', often used for accidents like a phone falling into water, or for flooding.
A common verb meaning 'to dip' or 'to soak'. In everyday situations, this is the most natural way to say 'immerse' for actions like dipping food in sauce.
Similar to つける but slightly more formal or literary. Often used for soaking something for a purpose.
All three express being absorbed in something, but 没頭 is more about focused concentration (often solitary), 夢中 is about being crazy about something fun, and 熱中 is about enthusiasm for a hobby or study. 夢中 is the most casual.
研究に没頭する。
Be immersed in research.
アイドルに夢中だ。
I'm crazy about the idol.
サッカーに熱中している。
I'm really into soccer.
The loanword イマージョン is almost exclusively used for language learning methods. Using it for 'immersion in a game' would sound unnatural; use 没頭 or 夢中 instead.
外国語のイマージョンが一番の学習法だ。
Immersion in a foreign language is the best way to learn.
彼は仕事に完全に没頭した。
He found total immersion in his work.
布を染料に浸すのに1時間かかった。
The immersion of the cloth in dye took an hour.
スマホが水没した。
My smartphone got immersed in water.
Immerse the vegetables in water.
Immerse the cloth in water.