飲(の)み込(こ)む

のみこむ
verb (godan)
to swallow, to grasp
1. to swallow, to gulp down
To cause food or liquid to pass from the mouth through the throat to the stomach.
薬(くすり)を水(みず)で飲(の)み込(こ)む。
Swallow the medicine with water.
よく噛(か)んでから飲(の)み込(こ)んでね。
Chew well before swallowing.
唾(つば)を飲(の)み込(こ)んだ。
I swallowed my saliva.
2. to understand, to grasp
To comprehend or internalize information or a situation.
状況(じょうきょう)を飲(の)み込(こ)むのに時間(じかん)がかかった。
It took time to grasp the situation.
説明(せつめい)を聞(き)いてやっと飲(の)み込(こ)めた。
After hearing the explanation, I finally understood.
彼(かれ)は飲(の)み込(こ)みが早(はや)い。
He's a quick learner.
飲み込みが早い = to be quick to understand/learn
3. to hold back, to suppress
To refrain from expressing words or emotions.
言葉(ことば)を飲(の)み込(こ)んだ。
I swallowed my words (held back what I was going to say).
涙(なみだ)を飲(の)み込(こ)んで笑顔(えがお)を見(み)せた。
She held back her tears and showed a smile.
不満(ふまん)を飲(の)み込(こ)んで従(したが)った。
I swallowed my dissatisfaction and complied.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Pattern: Xを飲(の)み込(こ)む (to swallow X).

ASPECT: ている indicates completed action or state. 飲(の)み込(こ)んでいる = 'has swallowed/understands.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 食(た)べ物(もの)を飲(の)み込(こ)む (to swallow food)
  • 状況(じょうきょう)を飲(の)み込(こ)む (to grasp the situation)
  • 涙(なみだ)を飲(の)み込(こ)む (to hold back tears)
  • 言葉(ことば)を飲(の)み込(こ)む (to swallow one's words)

MULTIPLE MEANINGS:
1. Physical swallowing
2. Mental comprehension
3. Emotional suppression

COMPOUND VERB: 飲(の)む (to drink) + 込(こ)む (to put in, intensifier)

general
Added 2026.1.14 9:58 · Revised 2026.3.4 12:42
04000/04403_nomikomu