Translation and Meaning of: 打ち込む - uchikomu

The Japanese word 打ち込む (うちこむ) is a compound verb that carries intense and physical meanings, such as "to hammer," "to crush," or "to devote oneself deeply." If you've ever tried to hammer a nail with all your might or dove headfirst into a project, you know exactly the energy that this expression conveys. In this article, we will uncover its etymology, usage in everyday life, and even tips to memorize this kanji without a headache. Here at Suki Nihongo, you can also find practical examples to include in your Anki and master this gem of Japanese vocabulary once and for all.

Etymology and Kanji: What Does 打ち込む Hide?

The verb 打ち込む is formed by two kanji: 打 (uchi, "to hit") and 込 (komu, "to enter deeply"). Together, they paint the picture of something being forcefully pushed inside — whether it's a nail into wood or your heart into a passion. Interestingly, the radical of 打 comes from "hand" (扌), while 込 carries the idea of movement inward (辶). It's no wonder this word appears in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

A common mistake is to confuse 込む with the kanji 混む (also read as "komu"), which means "to be crowded". The tip? Think of the "hammer" (打) that drives something inside (込) — this way you avoid stumbling in your writing. And if you have already used the term 没頭する (botchuu suru, "to dive into something"), know that 打ち込む is its more energetic and concrete cousin.

Lies in Daily Life: From Work to Love

In the office, hearing someone say 「プロジェクトに打ち込んでいます」 ("I am dedicated to the project") reveals more than just effort: it is total commitment, almost obsessive. Meanwhile, on a construction site, 「くいを打ち込む」 ("drive piles") shows the literal sense in action. And some even use it in love: 「恋に打ち込む」 ("throw oneself into romance") — although the Japanese prefer 夢中 (muchuu) for feelings.

A cultural prank: while in Portuguese "to crush" can be negative (like crushing dreams), in Japanese 打ち込む almost always has a positive connotation when used metaphorically. Want to try? Try replacing "to study hard" with 「勉強に打ち込む」 in your next conversation with your sensei and see the sparkle in his eyes.

Tips for Memorizing and Unexpected Links

To remember 打ち込む, imagine a carpenter (打) driving (込) nails with precise strikes. Or create an absurd mental scene: you "hammering" (打) books into your head (込む) to study. It works! On YouTube, search for 打ち込み音楽 — a style of electronic music that, guess what?, uses "hammered" samples in rhythmic sequences.

Want a challenge? This verb appears in mangas like "Haikyuu!!" when players are dedicated to training, or in "Shokugeki no Soma" during intense cooking scenes. Keep an eye on the onomatopoeias (ドンドン, ガンガン) that often accompany it — they are sound cues of the physical effort that the word carries.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 打ち込む

• 打ち込む - base form
• 打ち込みます - Present form
• 打ち込んだ - Past form
• 打ち込め - Imperative form
• 打ち込むこと - Nominal form

Synonyms and similar words

• 入力する (nyuryoku suru) - Insert data, introduce information.
• タイプする (taipu suru) - Type, use a typewriter or a keyboard.
• 打ち込みする (uchikomi suru) - Type, enter information using a keyboard, usually with an emphasis on the action.
• キーボードを叩く (kiibōdo o tataku) - Hit the keyboard, referring to the physical act of pressing the keys.

打ち込む

Romaji: uchikomu
Kana: うちこむ
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: driving in (for example, nailing a pile); dedicate yourself to; shoot at; smash; play in; throw in

Meaning in English: to drive in (e.g. nail stake);to devote oneself to;to shoot into;to smash;to throw into;to cast into

Definition: Entering characters, numbers, etc. using a computer keyboard.

Example Sentences - (打ち込む) uchikomu

See below some example sentences:

私はプログラミングに打ち込んでいます。

Watashi wa puroguramingu ni uchikonde imasu

I'm focused on programming.

I'm in programming.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• プログラミング (puroguramingu) - programação
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action towards something, in this case "dedication to programming"
• 打ち込んでいます (uchikondeimasu) - verb meaning "to be dedicated to" or "to be immersed in", conjugated in the present continuous