耽
addicted, absorbed in
Readings
On'yomi
- タン
Kun'yomi
- ふけ.る
Meaning
耽 centers on being deeply engrossed in something, often to an excessive degree: addicted, absorbed, or indulging in an activity.
Most common words using 耽
- 耽るふけるN1
to indulge in; to give oneself up to; to be obsessed by
- 耽美たんび
aestheticism; pursuit of beauty; obsession with beautiful things
- 耽溺たんでき
indulgence (in alcohol, women, etc.); debauchery; dissipation
- 耽楽たんらく
indulging in pleasure; giving oneself up to enjoyment
- 耽溺生活たんできせいかつ
a fast (dissolute) life; a life of follies; a life given to dissolute pleasures
- 耽美主義たんびしゅぎ
aestheticism
- 耽美派たんびは
aesthetic school
- 耽美的たんびてき
aesthetic; esthetic
- 耽読たんどく
absorption in reading
Study
Etymology
耽 combines 耳 (ear) with 冘, which likely contributes the sound. The original sense may relate to listening intently or being absorbed in something heard, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The ear 耳 on the left suggests listening, and the right side 冘 looks like a person leaning in. Imagine someone so absorbed in what they hear that they become addicted to it.
Reading mnemonic
For タン, picture a person so addicted to tanning under the sun that they ignore everything else: tan -> タン, and they are completely absorbed in getting a tan.