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Grammar detail: こむ／込む compound verbs

3
こむ／込む compound verbs
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こ
込
む is a verb which has several useful meanings on its own - for example, it can mean 'to go / put into'; it can also mean 'to be crowded / packed'. It is very commonly added to other verbs to evoke these meanings in addition to the original meaning of the verb.
In fact, 込む is the most verb used in this way to make 'compound verbs' - there are 255! The general rule of thumb is that 込む can be added to almost any verb to 'deepen' or 'strengthen' its intent.
Here's an example of the first type of meaning:
か
駆
け
こ
込
む (rush into)
DETAILS
かれ
彼
はコートを
き
着
たまま
へや
部屋
に
か
駆
け
こ
込
んできました。
He rushed into the room with his coat on.
Here's an example of the second:
ねむ
眠
り
こ
込
む (fall deeply asleep)
DETAILS
し
知
らないうちに
あ
明
かりをつけたまま
ねむ
眠
りこんでしまった。
Without realizing, I had fallen asleep with the light left on.
Source: ねじまき鳥クロにカル（村上春樹）
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See also:
  • Compound verbs

Words used in this grammar

'mu' godan verb, intransitive verb
1. to be crowded; to be packed
2. to be complex  (see also: 手の込んだ)
(click the word to view an additional 3 meanings and 4 forms)
4
3
TEST
'mu' godan verb, intransitive verb
to rush in (at the last minute); to stampede
(click the word to view an additional 5 forms)
9
TEST
'mu' godan verb, intransitive verb
to fall asleep; to sleep deeply
(click the word to view an additional 1 form)
TEST

Kanji used in this grammar

込
crowded   こむ to be crowded   こめる to load; to include   
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3
駆
ク   かける to gallop, run   かる to drive, to spur on   
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5
眠
ミン   ねむる to sleep   ねむい sleepy   
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3
彼
ヒ   かれ he   
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3
着
チャク   ジャク   つく to arrive   つける to attach   きる to wear   きせる to make wear   
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2
部
ブ   part
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3
屋
オク   や roof   
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2
知
チ   しる to know   
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2
明
メイ   ミョウ   あかり light   あかるい bright   あかるむ to brighten   あからむ to become luminous (at dawn)   あきらか obvious   あかす to lay bare   あく to open   あける to empty   
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2
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