Translation guide
The English verb 'submerge' covers putting something under a liquid, sinking or going underwater, and hiding or suppressing something. Japanese uses different verbs depending on whether the action is transitive or intransitive, and whether it's about physical immersion or metaphorical concealment.
To deliberately place an object or body part into a liquid so that it is completely covered.
Transitive verb meaning to sink or submerge something. Used when you intentionally put an object underwater.
He submerged the ship in the sea.
Transitive verb meaning to soak or immerse something in liquid. Often used for food or cloth.
Please submerge the cloth in water.
Transitive compound meaning to cause something to be submerged or flooded. Often used for disasters or accidents.
The flood submerged the entire village.
To go beneath the surface of water, either intentionally or accidentally.
Intransitive verb meaning to sink or go underwater. Used for objects, people, or the sun setting.
The submarine submerged quietly.
Intransitive verb meaning to dive or go underwater, usually for a person or animal intentionally going under.
Intransitive compound meaning to be submerged or flooded. Often used for land or vehicles.
The car fell into the river and submerged.
To conceal or keep something from being expressed or noticed.
Transitive verb meaning to suppress or hold back emotions, desires, or actions.
He submerged his anger.
Transitive verb meaning to hide or conceal something. Can be used for feelings or identity.
Idiomatic phrase meaning to lock away deep in one's heart, implying submerging emotions.
I submerged that memory deep inside.
To be completely absorbed or overwhelmed by something, as if submerged.
沈める (しずめる) is transitive (you submerge something), while 沈む (しずむ) is intransitive (something submerges). Use the correct one based on whether there is a direct object.
Avoid directly translating 'submerge feelings' as 感情を沈める. Instead, use 抑える (おさえる) or 隠す (かくす) for natural Japanese.
彼は深く潜って魚を捕まえた。
He submerged deeply and caught a fish.
彼女は本当の気持ちを隠した。
She submerged her true feelings.
彼は仕事に埋もれている。
He is submerged in work.