惚(ほ)れ込(こ)む

ほれこむ

verb (godan)

to fall deeply in love with, to be captivated by

1. to fall deeply in love with, to be captivated by

To become thoroughly enamored or deeply attracted to someone or something. Stronger than simple liking — implies being completely won over. Used for romantic attraction, but also for being captivated by a place, a work of art, or an idea.

彼女(かのじょ)に惚(ほ)れ込(こ)んだ。

I fell head over heels for her.

この土地(とち)の景色(けしき)に惚(ほ)れ込(こ)んで、移住(いじゅう)を決(き)めた。

I was so captivated by the scenery here that I decided to move.

彼(かれ)はその脚本(きゃくほん)に惚(ほ)れ込(こ)み、自(みずか)ら監督(かんとく)を申(もう)し出(で)た。

He was so taken with the screenplay that he volunteered to direct it himself.

CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (む-ending). 惚(ほ)れ込(こ)む → 惚(ほ)れ込(こ)まない → 惚(ほ)れ込(こ)んだ → 惚(ほ)れ込(こ)んで

USAGE:
惚(ほ)れ込(こ)む is an intensified form of 惚(ほ)れる (to fall in love with). The 込(こ)む suffix adds the sense of depth and thoroughness — being deeply and completely captivated.

Used for both romantic and non-romantic contexts. Often takes the particle に to mark the object of fascination.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

～に惚(ほ)れ込(こ)む: to be captivated by ~
すっかり惚(ほ)れ込(こ)む: to be completely smitten
一目(ひとめ)で惚(ほ)れ込(こ)む: to be captivated at first sight

Related Words

Related: 惚(ほ)れる (to fall in love)

general

Added 2026.2.22 14:49

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