ichidan verb, transitive verb
Physical use: putting something into a proper place, container, storage space, or back where it belongs. 収める is the broad learner-safe spelling; 納める is also used in some set contexts such as a sword in its sheath.
読み終えた本を棚に収めた。
I put the book I had finished reading back on the shelf.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
include; publish in; capture on film
Only when written 収める
Used for including a work or item in a book, collection, catalogue, recording, image, or frame. This sense is written 収める.
この短編は新しい作品集に収められている。
This short story is included in the new collection.
決定的な瞬間をカメラに収めた。
I captured the decisive moment on camera.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
achieve; gain; win; make a profit
Only when written 収める
Used with outcomes such as 成功, 成果, 優勝, 勝利, and 利益. This sense is written 収める.
チームは大会で優勝を収めた。
The team won the tournament.
新しい事業は初年度から利益を収めた。
The new business made a profit from its first year.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
pay; pay in
Only when written 納める
Used for paying money that is due, especially taxes, fees, tuition, dues, and similar obligations. This sense is written 納める.
毎年、期限までに税金を納める。
I pay my taxes by the deadline every year.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Only when written 納める
Commercial or official use for delivering goods or supplying items to a customer, organization, or designated place. This sense is written 納める.
工場は部品を取引先に納めている。
The factory supplies parts to its business partners.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
accept; receive formally
Only when written 納める
Most often seen in polite formulas such as お納めください when asking someone to accept a gift, payment, or offering.
つまらない物ですが、どうぞお納めください。
It's only a small gift, but please accept it.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
keep within a limit; fit within
Used with limits such as budgets, time, space, size, or a numerical range. 収める is especially common for this sense, though 納める may also be seen.
費用を十万円以内に収めたい。
I want to keep the cost within 100,000 yen.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Only when written 納める
Religious or ceremonial use for presenting something to a shrine, deity, temple, or sacred place. 納める is the normal spelling in this context.
神社に絵馬を納めた。
I dedicated an ema plaque at the shrine.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Used for bringing a disturbance, conflict, emotion, or unstable situation under control. 収める is common; 治める overlaps for 'settle' or 'pacify' in some contexts.
See also: 治める
警察はすぐに騒ぎを収めた。
The police quickly brought the disturbance under control.
彼は深呼吸して怒りを収めた。
He took a deep breath and suppressed his anger.
ichidan verb, transitive verb, suffix
Only when written 納める
Written 納める. As an independent verb it can mean to bring work or an activity to a close; as a suffix after a verb stem, it often marks the final performance of that action for a period or occasion.
今年の仕事は今日で納める。
I'll wrap up this year's work today.
今年はこの曲で歌い納めることにした。
I decided to make this song my last one to sing this year.