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はまる Japanese meaning | Kotomora

はまる

は

ま

る

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

fit into; go into; be fitted with

usually written using kana alone

Physical sense: something fits into a hole, frame, space, or position, or is set into something. The thing that fits is the subject, often with に.

ふたが箱はこにぴったりはまった。
The lid fit perfectly onto the box.
ドアには小ちいさな窓まど

が

はまっ

て

いる

。

A small window is fitted into the door.

2

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

be suited for; fit; meet conditions

usually written using kana alone

Abstract fit: a person, role, plan, case, or condition matches well. For formal 'apply to a rule or condition,' 当てはまる is often more precise.

彼かの女じょは主しゅ役やくにぴったりはまっている。
She is perfectly suited to the lead role.
この条じょう件けんにはまる物ぶっ件けんはなかなか見みつからない。
It is hard to find a property that meets these conditions.

3

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

fall into; get stuck; get caught

usually written using kana alone

Used when someone or something falls into a hole or becomes stuck or caught in mud, a gap, a mechanism, and so on.

子こどもが穴あなにはまって泣ないていた。
A child had fallen into a hole and was crying.
タイヤが泥どろにはまって動うごかない。
The tire is stuck in the mud and will not move.

4

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

be deceived; be taken in; fall into a trap

usually written using kana alone

Figurative extension of falling into something: being caught by a trick, scheme, or trap. Common in 罠にはまる.

彼かれは詐さ欺ぎ師しの罠わなにはまった。
He fell into the swindler's trap.

5

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

get hooked on; become absorbed in; become crazy about

usually written using kana alone

Casual modern use for becoming deeply into a hobby, food, show, game, person, or habit. ハマる is a common casual spelling for this sense.

最さい近きん、韓かん国こくドラマにはまっている。
Lately I have been hooked on Korean dramas.
友ともだちは今いま、サウナにハマっている。
My friend is really into saunas right now.

Written forms

はまるUsage64%
Primary practical spelling; All senses are usually written in kana.
ハマるUsage28%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling given; especially common in casual writing for being hooked on something, and sometimes for trap or stuck meanings.
嵌はまるUsage4%
irregular okurigana
Irregular okurigana spelling; understandable but not the normal learner spelling.
嵌はまるUsage3%
Kanji spelling, but kana is generally preferred in ordinary writing.
ハマルUsage2%
填はまるUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; mainly useful for recognizing written variants.
塡はまる
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using the traditional-looking 塡; mainly useful for recognition.

Kanji

嵌go into, plunge, inlay
填fill in
塡fill in, fill up, make good

Similar words

はめる
Transitive counterpart: はめる means to fit or insert something, and also to trick someone; はまる is intransitive, meaning something fits, gets stuck, is tricked, or gets hooked.
当あてはまる
More specific for 'apply to' or 'fall under' a rule, condition, or category; はまる is broader and often more casual.
夢む中ちゅうになる
Means to become absorbed or engrossed; it lacks the physical 'fit/get stuck' senses and is less slangy than ハマる.

Etymology

A native Japanese verb with uncertain historical derivation. The kanji 嵌 is conventionally associated with fitting into or being set into something, but usually written in kana.