夢中(むちゅう)

むちゅう
noun, na-adjective
absorbed, engrossed, crazy about
descriptive
1. absorbed, engrossed
Being completely focused on something to the exclusion of all else.
ゲームに夢中(むちゅう)になっている。
I'm absorbed in the game.
夢中(むちゅう)で走(はし)った。
I ran frantically (without thinking).
Adverbial use
子供(こども)たちは夢中(むちゅう)になって砂場(すなば)で遊(あそ)んでいた。
The children were completely absorbed in playing in the sandbox.
2. crazy about, hooked on
Being extremely enthusiastic about something.
ゲームに夢中(むちゅう)になっている。
I'm absorbed in the game.
彼(かれ)は彼女(かのじょ)に夢中(むちゅう)だ。
He's crazy about her.
娘(むすめ)は最近(さいきん)アイドルに夢中(むちゅう)で、毎日(まいにち)動画(どうが)を見(み)ている。
My daughter is crazy about idols lately and watches videos every day.

Literally means "in a dream" (夢(ゆめ) = dream, 中(ちゅう) = inside).

Common patterns

  • 〜に夢中(むちゅう)になる (to become absorbed in ~)
  • 〜に夢中(むちゅう)だ (to be crazy about ~)
  • 夢中(むちゅう)で〜する (to do ~ frantically/absently)

Common collocations

Usage

夢中(むちゅう) can imply being so focused that one loses awareness of surroundings or time, similar to being in a trance or dreamlike state.

Related Words

Compare: 陶酔(とうすい) (intoxication)
Related: 心酔(しんすい) (infatuation, being captivated, devotion)
Compare: 虜(とりこ) (captive)
Compare: 熱狂的(ねっきょうてき) (fanatical)
Homophone: 霧中(むちゅう) (in fog)
Compare: 無我(むが) (selflessness)
Compare: 有頂天(うちょうてん) (ecstasy)
general
Added 2026.1.12 21:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
03500/03752_muchuu