Meaning and Usage
The verb "埋める" (うめる) primarily means "to bury" something physically, such as burying trash or a treasure underground. It also extends metaphorically to "filling" something that is empty or vacant, like filling a seat or a gap in work.
Common Contexts
- Physical burial: burying objects or remains in the ground.
- Filling vacancies: filling empty seats, positions, or gaps in schedules or work.
Collocations and Patterns
- "穴を埋める" (あなをうめる): to fill a hole or gap, often literal or figurative.
- "席を埋める" (せきをうめる): to fill a seat, common in event or meeting contexts.
- "時間を埋める" (じかんをうめる): to fill time, often used when managing schedules.
Register and Nuance
"埋める" is a neutral verb used in both casual and formal contexts. It is often used in everyday conversation and written language. When referring to filling a vacancy or gap, it implies actively resolving an absence or shortage.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "埋める" with "詰める" (つめる), which also means "to fill" but often implies packing tightly or compressing. "埋める" focuses on filling or burying, not compressing.
Use "埋める" when you want to express burying or filling an empty space or position, not when packing things tightly together.