Explore 込 through crowded places and actions directed inward. Learn each reading with a complete word.
The idea
込 has 5 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 込む（こむ） means to be crowded. In compounds such as 飛び込む（とびこむ）, 込む can add a sense of moving in; 申し込む（もうしこむ） means to apply.
Examples
- 朝は電車が込んでいます。The train is crowded in the morning.
- 昼はレストランが混み合っています。The restaurant is crowded at lunchtime.
- 日本語の授業に申し込みました。I applied for the Japanese class.
- 子どもがプールに飛び込みました。A child jumped into the pool.
- 荷物を車に積み込んでください。Please put your luggage in the car.
- その問題について長い間考え込みました。I thought about the problem for a long time.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
込む describes congestion, but not every compound means crowded: 考え込む means to become absorbed in thought. Learn each compound in context.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 込む in hiragana.
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こむ
込む is こむ: the train is crowded in the morning.
Write the reading of 申し込む in hiragana.
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もうしこむ
申し込む is もうしこむ: it means to apply or sign up.
Choose the missing kanji: 飛び＿む（とびこむ）［込／近］.
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込
込 completes 飛び込む（とびこむ）, to jump into something.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 込む in hiragana.
Write the reading of 申し込む in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: 飛び＿む（とびこむ）［込／近］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 込 following the diagram. Cover the examples, read 込む and 申し込む, and make a sentence with one.