Translation guide
The English phrase 'sink into' has several distinct meanings, from physical immersion to mental absorption. This guide breaks them down by intended meaning, providing natural Japanese equivalents for each use.
To descend or become submerged in a liquid or soft material like mud, snow, or water.
The ship sank into the sea.
My feet sank into the mud.
Transitive verb: to sink something into a liquid or soft substance.
He sank the weight into the water.
To sink into and get stuck in a soft surface, like mud or a mattress. Emphasizes being embedded.
The tires sank into the mud.
To be absorbed or gradually penetrate into a surface or material, like lotion into skin or water into soil.
For liquids or smells soaking into something. Often used for lotions, water into ground, or odors into fabric.
The toner sank into my skin.
More formal/technical term for permeation or osmosis. Used for liquids, ideas, or policies spreading through something.
Water sank into the soil.
To become deeply engrossed in thought, a mood, or an activity, often with a sense of gradual immersion.
Attach to a noun indicating what one is absorbed in (e.g., 考えにふける 'sink into thought', 思い出にふける 'sink into memories').
He was sinking into deep thought.
She is sinking into her book.
Literally 'soak in', used for immersing oneself in an atmosphere, emotion, or experience (e.g., 幸福感に浸る 'sink into happiness').
Can be used metaphorically for sinking into a depressed state or deep thought, but less common than ふける.
To gradually enter a state like sleep, silence, or despair.
Used for falling into a negative state or condition (e.g., 混乱に陥る 'sink into chaos', 絶望に陥る 'sink into despair').
The country sank into chaos.
He sank into despair.
A common phrase for 'sink into sleep' or 'fall asleep'.
For 'sink into silence', a more literary expression meaning 'be enveloped in silence'.
To press or embed something sharp into a surface or flesh.
To settle comfortably into a soft seat, like a sofa or armchair.
English 'sink into thought' cannot be directly translated as 考えに沈む. Use 考えにふける or 物思いにふける instead. 沈む is primarily physical.
沈む is for objects sinking into a liquid or soft substance (ship, feet). 染み込む is for liquids or smells being absorbed into a material (lotion, rain into soil).
The rain sank into the ground.
He was sinking into a feeling of happiness.
He sank into a gloomy mood.
She sank into a deep sleep.
The room sank into silence.
He sank into the armchair.