Translation guide
The act of going or being put completely under water or another liquid. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific verbs and nouns depending on whether something sinks on its own, is deliberately submerged, or is flooded.
To describe something sinking below the surface of water on its own, like a ship or a person drowning.
Noun meaning 'sinking' (of a ship, etc.). Often used with する to mean 'to sink'. Implies going under and staying under.
The ship sank.
Noun meaning 'submersion in water' or 'flooding'. Used for objects or areas going underwater, often due to disaster or accident.
The car was submerged.
Verb meaning 'to drown' or 'to be submerged' (for people/animals). Focuses on the danger or struggle.
He drowned in the river.
To describe the action of submerging an object or person intentionally.
Transitive verb meaning 'to sink (something)'. Used when you cause something to go under water.
He sank a stone in the pond.
Phrase meaning 'to soak in water' or 'to immerse'. Often used for washing or preparing food.
Soak the vegetables in water.
Causative of 潜る (to go under). Means 'to make (someone/something) go under water'. Less common.
To describe an area or object becoming submerged because of rising water, heavy rain, or tsunami.
Noun meaning 'flooding' or 'inundation'. Often used for roads or fields covered by water.
The road is flooded.
Noun meaning 'inundation' or 'flooding', especially of buildings. Implies water entering a structure.
Also used for flooding, but more general. Can refer to anything going underwater.
To describe a person or animal going under the surface for a short time, like when swimming.
沈没 is specifically for ships or large objects sinking. 水没 is general submersion, often accidental. 冠水 is for surfaces (roads, fields) being covered by water.
English 'submersion' is a noun, but Japanese often uses verbs or verb-derived nouns. Avoid literal translations like サブマージョン; use the appropriate Japanese term.
子供を水に潜らせた。
I made the child go underwater.
家が浸水した。
The house was flooded.
田んぼが水没した。
The rice field was submerged.