1.
to drown, to nearly drown
To be submerged in water and unable to breathe.
川で溺れそうになった。
I almost drowned in the river.
子供が溺れている！
A child is drowning!
海で泳いでいた男性が溺れて救助された。
A man who was swimming in the ocean nearly drowned and was rescued.
2.
to be addicted to, to indulge in
To be excessively devoted to something.
酒に溺れる。
To be addicted to alcohol.
ゲームに溺れる若者が増えている。
More and more young people are becoming addicted to games.
彼は成功に溺れて、周りの人の意見を聞かなくなった。
He became intoxicated with success and stopped listening to the opinions of those around him.
溺れる means to drown (literally) or to be addicted (figuratively).
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 自動詞 (intransitive)
ASPECT (ている):
溺れている indicates someone is currently drowning (needs help!) or is in a state of addiction.
MEANINGS:
1. Physical: to drown, to be drowning
2. Figurative: to be addicted to, to indulge in
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 川で溺れる: to drown in a river
- 溺れそうになる: to almost drown
- 〜に溺れる: to be addicted to ~ (figurative)
FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONS:
- 酒に溺れる: to be addicted to alcohol
- 愛に溺れる: to be madly in love
- 快楽に溺れる: to indulge in pleasure
COMPOUNDS:
- 溺れ死ぬ: to drown to death
- 溺愛: excessive love, doting