Meaning and Usage
The verb 富む (とむ) primarily means "to be rich" or "to be abundant in something." It is often used to describe wealth in terms of money or property, but also frequently used metaphorically to indicate richness in qualities like humor, experience, or resources.
Common Collocations
- 財産に富む (ざいさんにとむ): to be rich in property or assets.
- 自然資源に富む (しぜんしげんにとむ): to be rich in natural resources.
- ユーモアに富む (ユーモアにとむ): to be rich in humor.
These collocations show how 富む is used with the particle に to indicate what the subject is rich in.
Register and Nuance
富む is a formal and literary verb, often found in written language or formal speech rather than casual conversation. It conveys a sense of abundance or richness in a somewhat elevated tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 富む with the more common verb お金持ちになる (to become wealthy) or 豊かだ (ゆたかだ, to be abundant). 富む is more formal and often used in written contexts or set phrases. Avoid using it in casual daily conversation unless quoting or reading formal texts.