1.
to sink, to submerge
To make something go underwater.
船を沈める。
To sink a ship.
体を湯に沈める。
To lower one's body into the bath.
敵の船を沈めた。
We sank the enemy ship.
2.
to calm, to quiet, to suppress
To make something peaceful or less intense.
怒りを沈める。
To calm one's anger.
痛みを沈める薬。
Medicine to relieve pain.
心を沈めてから話し始めた。
I calmed my mind before starting to talk.
沈める is a transitive ichidan verb meaning "to sink something" or "to calm/suppress something."
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Pair: 沈む (intransitive, to sink)
SENSE 1 - PHYSICAL (to sink):
- 船を沈める: to sink a ship
- 体を湯に沈める: to lower one's body into the bath
SENSE 2 - EMOTIONAL (to calm/suppress):
- 怒りを沈める: to calm one's anger
- 痛みを沈める: to relieve pain
- 心を沈める: to calm one's heart/mind
ASPECT (ている):
沈めている indicates ongoing action of sinking or calming something.