1.
to crawl under; to slip into (a space)
To physically get under or inside something, such as a blanket, a bed, or a narrow space.
布団に潜り込む。
Slip into the futon.
猫がベッドの下に潜り込んだ。
The cat crawled under the bed.
寒くて毛布に潜り込んで出たくない。
It's so cold that I've burrowed into my blanket and don't want to come out.
2.
to sneak into; to infiltrate
To enter a place secretly or without authorization.
スパイが組織に潜り込んだ。
A spy infiltrated the organization.
コンサートにチケットなしで潜り込もうとした。
I tried to sneak into the concert without a ticket.
記者が身分を隠して工場に潜り込んだ。
The reporter concealed their identity and infiltrated the factory.
USAGE:
潜り込む is a compound verb combining 潜る (to dive, to go under) and 込む (into). The 込む suffix adds the nuance of going deep inside or fully entering.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 布団に潜り込む (to slip into a futon)
- ベッドに潜り込む (to crawl into bed)
- 組織に潜り込む (to infiltrate an organization)
CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (mu-row): 潜り込まない / 潜り込みます / 潜り込んで