飲み込む
nomikomuto swallow (food, liquid, or medicine)
彼女は水を一口飲み込んだ。
She took a sip of water.
Commonly used for swallowing food, drinks, or medicine.
to understand or grasp something quickly
その説明をすぐに飲み込んだ。
I quickly understood the explanation.
Often used metaphorically to describe understanding something easily.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative
Be mindful of the context to distinguish between the literal (swallowing) and figurative (understanding) meanings.
⚡Gold Rule
Context Matters
The verb is versatile but context determines whether it refers to swallowing or understanding.
📖Word Origin
From 飲む (nomu, to drink) + 込む (komu, to enter or go into). The verb combines the action of drinking with the idea of something entering the body.
📝Usage Notes
While primarily used for swallowing, it can also be used metaphorically to describe understanding something quickly. The literal and figurative meanings are distinct but both are common.