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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Immersion education is effective.
A combination of 'language' and the loanword, often used to specify language immersion. Note: 'immersion' is kept in English.
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.
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.
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.
Be immersed in research.
I'm crazy about the idol.
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.
Immersion in a foreign language is the best way to learn.
He found total immersion in his work.
The immersion of the cloth in dye took an hour.
I want to study abroad and learn in an environment immersed in the language.
スマホが水没した。
My smartphone got immersed in water.
野菜を水につける。
Immerse the vegetables in water.
布を水に浸す。
Immerse the cloth in water.