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To take in or absorb something, such as knowledge, nutrients, or a company
このスポンジは水を吸収する
This sponge absorbs water
その企業は競合他社を吸収合併した
The company absorbed a competitor through a merger
Can refer to physical absorption (e.g., sponges) or metaphorical absorption (e.g., knowledge, companies)
In business contexts, 吸収する often refers to mergers or acquisitions
Be mindful of context to distinguish between physical and metaphorical absorption
From 吸収 (kyūshū, 'absorption') + する (suru, verb-forming suffix)
Can be used both literally (e.g., sponges absorbing water) and metaphorically (e.g., companies absorbing other companies or knowledge)