Meaning and Usage
The verb "溺れる" (おぼれる) primarily means "to drown" in a physical sense, such as in water. It is often used in emergency or accident contexts. Beyond the literal meaning, it also figuratively means "to be overwhelmed or indulge in something," like emotions, habits, or activities.
Common Collocations
- 溺れる + で (location): to drown in a place (e.g., 川で溺れる - drown in a river)
- 〜に溺れる: to be absorbed or addicted to something (e.g., 仕事に溺れる - be absorbed in work)
- 甘い言葉に溺れる: to be seduced or deceived by sweet words
Register and Nuance
"溺れる" is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. When used figuratively, it often implies a negative or cautionary nuance, warning against excess or loss of control.
Common Learner Pitfall
Learners sometimes confuse "溺れる" with "溺死する" which specifically means "to die by drowning." "溺れる" focuses on the state of drowning or being overwhelmed and does not necessarily imply death.
Use "溺れる" to describe both literal drowning and figurative indulgence, paying attention to context to understand the intended meaning.