pack · question

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is きつ, and the kun readings are つめる, つまる, つむ. It has 13 strokes and relates to packing something or becoming blocked.
• Basic usage: 詰める is read つめる, and 詰まる is read つまる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 詰める and 詰まる
  • 詰める means to pack or to move closer. It is a transitive verb read つめる for packing something in or moving things closer together.
  • 旅行かばんに着替えを詰めた。 means “I packed a change of clothes in my suitcase.”
  • 詰まる means to become clogged or to be packed. It is an intransitive verb read つまる for a passage becoming clogged or a space becoming full.
  • 流しの排水口にごみが詰まって水が流れない。 means “Debris clogged the sink drain, preventing water from flowing.”