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考え事に耽る (かんがえごとにふける) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
be absorbed in thought ; be lost in thought
Describes a state of being deeply engrossed in one's own thoughts, often to the point of ignoring surroundings. The phrase is a set expression combining 考え事 (thinking, contemplation) with 耽る (to indulge, be absorbed).
電でん 車しゃ の 中なか で 考かんが え 事ごと に 耽ふけ っ て いる と 、 乗の り 過す ごし て しまっ た 。
While lost in thought on the train, I missed my stop.
Written forms 考かんが え 事ごと に 耽ふけ る
Standard kanji spelling using 耽る; the kanji 耽 carries the meaning of being absorbed or indulging.
考かんが え 事ごと にふける
Common spelling using hiragana for ふける; widely used and easily readable.
考かんが え 事ごと に 耽ふ ける
irregular okurigana
Irregular okurigana usage; rarely encountered and not recommended for learners.
Similar words 耽ふけ る 耽る is a verb meaning 'to indulge in' or 'to be absorbed in' something, often used with nouns like 読書 (reading) or 空想 (fantasy). 考え事に耽る is a specific common phrase using this verb.
考かんが え 込こ む 考え込む also means 'to be deep in thought', but it emphasizes the act of thinking hard about something, often with a nuance of worry or pondering a problem, whereas 考え事に耽る suggests a more passive, indulgent absorption.
Etymology A set phrase combining 考え事 (matter for thought, from 考える 'think' + 事 'thing') and 耽る (to indulge, be absorbed). The verb 耽る is of native Japanese origin, with the kanji 耽 carrying the meaning of 'addicted' or 'absorbed'.
