The Meaning of fukumeru [含める] In Japanese

含める
ふくめる
Romaji: fukumeru N3

What does 含める mean?

Translation and Meaning

include, contain, incorporate, take into account

Definition

含める means to include something as part of a group, list, or scope, or to consider it within a plan or calculation; the core idea is extending a boundary to cover an item or person that would otherwise be left out.

Type

verb (ichidan) (動詞・一段活用)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • to include something as part of a group, list, or total
  • to incorporate or add someone or something into a discussion, plan, or policy
  • to take into account or consider as part of a calculation or evaluation

Etymology

含 is the kanji for contain, and める is a productive verb-forming suffix that turns 含む into 含める, shifting the sense from mere containment to the act of including.

Composition

  • 含 combines the idea of containment or enclosure; める is a verb-forming suffix that creates a transitive action, together yielding the sense of bringing something into a scope or list

Usage

Used in formal and informal contexts to express including or incorporating something or someone; common with noun phrases followed by を含める, or in discussions about plans, calculations, or policies. In practice, it often appears in sentences that describe expanding scope or consideration, such as including additional items in a list or factor in a calculation; examples are provided in Japanese without translations.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: visualize a container ( containing items) and imagine the sound める sealing them in—the act of including follows from the container welcoming more items.

Variations

  • 取り入れる (toriire-ru) — to incorporate
  • 含む (ふくむ, fukumu) — to contain; base form
  • 加える (くわえる, kuwaeru) — to add
  • 除外する (じょがいする, jogaisuru) — to exclude
含める