1.
deep place, depths
A physically deep spot, such as a deep part of a river, pool, or body of water.
川の深みに足を取られた。
I lost my footing in a deep part of the river.
深みにはまらないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to get in over your head.
Can refer literally to deep water or figuratively to getting too deeply involved.
このプールは奥に行くほど深みが増す。
This pool gets deeper the further back you go.
2.
depth, profundity, richness
Abstract depth or richness in quality, such as depth of flavor, color, meaning, or character.
年齢とともに味わいに深みが出た。
The flavor gained depth with age.
この絵には色の深みがある。
This painting has depth of color.
経験を積むことで人間としての深みが増す。
By accumulating experience, one gains depth as a person.
USAGE:
Formed from 深い (deep) + the suffix ～み (which forms nouns indicating degree or quality). The figurative sense (sense 2) is particularly common, used to describe richness or profundity in abstract qualities.
The expression 深みにはまる means both "to step into deep water" literally and "to get in too deep" figuratively.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 深みが増す: to gain depth
- 深みがある: to have depth
- 深みにはまる: to get in too deep
- 味に深みがある: to have depth of flavor