()める

うめる
verb (ichidan)
to bury, to fill in
1. to bury, to cover
To put something under the ground or cover it.
(つち)()める。
To bury in the soil.
(にわ)(たね)()めた。
I buried seeds in the garden.
(いぬ)(ほね)地面(じめん)()めた。
The dog buried a bone in the ground.
2. to fill in, to fill up
To make something full or complete.
(あな)()める。
To fill in a hole.
空白(くうはく)()める。
To fill in the blanks.
二人(ふたり)(あいだ)()()めるのは(むずか)しい。
It's hard to close the gap between the two of them.

()める is an ichidan verb meaning to bury, fill in, or cover completely.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive)
  • Pair: ()まる (intransitive: to be buried, to be filled)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • (あな)()める: to fill a hole
  • 空白(くうはく)()める: to fill in blanks
  • ()()める: to close a gap
  • 時間(じかん)()める: to fill time
  • 損失(そんしつ)()める: to make up for a loss

FIGURATIVE USE:
Often used figuratively for "filling" abstract gaps like time, deficits, or differences.