Japanese word

はまる

Pronunciation

Romajihamaru

Meaning

  • verbfit

Example

このふたは箱にはまります。ko no fu ta wa bako ni ha ma ri ma su

This lid fits the box.

Illustration for はまる (fit)

More examples

最後のパズルのピースが、空いた場所にはまりました。sai go no pa zu ru no pī su ga a i ta ba sho ni ha ma ri ma shi ta

The last puzzle piece fit into the empty space.

Core concept

Describes something fitting tightly into a place, or a person becoming stuck in circumstances or strongly drawn into an interest.

Common phrases

  • ぴったりはまるpi tta ri ha ma ru

    fit perfectly

  • 箱にはまるbako ni ha ma ru

    fit into a box

Similar words

入るhairu: To enter or be contained in a place, whether or not the fit is tight.
収まるosamaru: To fit inside a space or container in a settled and contained way.
合うau: To have a size or shape that matches another thing correctly.

Definition in Japanese

物が穴や器などに合って動かない状態になる。また、ある状態から抜けられなくなったり、物事に熱中したりすること。mono ga ana ya utsuwa na do ni a tte ugo ka na i jō tai ni na ru ma ta a ru jō tai ka ra nu ke ra re na ku na tta ri mono goto ni net chū shi ta ri su ru ko to

Word origin

はまる (hamaru) is a native Japanese verb based on the sense of entering a space tightly; this physical sense extends to being trapped in a condition or absorbed in an interest.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, はまる (hamaru) often describes a strong interest in a game, show, or hobby, while the same word can also mean being caught in a troublesome situation.

Other meanings

  • get stuckverb
  • be hooked onverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word