深く

§ What 深く (fukaku) Means

Let's break down 深く (fukaku). It's an adverb that literally means 'deeply.' You'll use it to describe actions or states that involve depth, intensity, or a profound level. Think of it as adding a layer of 'how much' or 'to what extent' something is done or felt.

Japanese Word

深く

Reading

fukaku

Part of Speech

Adverb

Definition

Deeply, profoundly, intimately.

§ How to use it in a sentence

As an adverb, 深く (fukaku) will usually come before the verb or adjective it modifies. It tells you *how* something is done. There are a few common patterns you'll see.

• Modifying verbs: This is the most common use. It describes the depth or intensity of an action.
• Modifying adjectives (less common but possible): While 深く usually modifies verbs, you might occasionally see it intensify another adjective, though this often has a slightly more literary feel.
• With verbs of feeling or thought: You'll often find 深く with verbs related to emotions, thinking, or understanding to express a profound level.

Let's look at some practical examples to get a better feel for it.

§ Examples of 深く with verbs

Hint

He was deeply moved by her compassion.

Here, 深く modifies 感動した (kandou shita - was moved), showing the intensity of his emotion.

Hint

They deeply understand each other.

This example uses 深く with 理解している (rikai shiteiru - understand) to convey a profound, intimate understanding.

Hint

He sank deeply into thought.

Here, 深く modifies 沈んだ (shizunda - sank), describing the depth of his contemplation.

§ Common collocations with 深く

Knowing what words often go with 深く will help you use it naturally.

• 深く感動する (fukaku kandou suru): To be deeply moved/impressed.
• 深く理解する (fukaku rikai suru): To deeply understand.
• 深く考える (fukaku kangaeru): To think deeply.
• 深く思う (fukaku omou): To think/feel deeply.
• 深く関わる (fukaku kakawaru): To be deeply involved/related.

§ Practical Takeaways

When you want to express that something is done with intensity, profundity, or to a significant degree, 深く is your go-to adverb. It's versatile and can be used in many contexts, from emotions to intellectual activities.

• Use it directly before the verb it modifies.
• It adds 'depth' to the action.
• Pay attention to the common collocations to sound more natural.

Practice using it in your own sentences. The more you use it, the more natural it will feel.

§ What does 深く mean?

深く (fukaku) is an adverb. It comes from the adjective 深い (fukai), which means 'deep'. When you change an い-adjective to an adverb, you replace the い with く. So, 深い becomes 深く. It means 'deeply', 'profoundly', or even 'intimately' depending on the context. It's a versatile word you'll hear in many situations.

Japanese Word

深く (fukaku)

Word Type

Adverb

CEFR Level

B1

Definition

Deeply, profoundly, intimately.

§ 深く in Work Settings

In a professional environment, 深く often describes the depth of thought, understanding, or analysis. You'll hear it when people talk about serious discussions, detailed investigations, or having a thorough knowledge of something.

• When discussing research or analysis: You might hear someone say they need to think deeply about a problem.
• When talking about understanding a topic: A manager might say a new employee needs to understand the company's vision deeply.
• When expressing a strong connection: Sometimes, it can even refer to forming a deep professional relationship.

Translation Hint

We need to think more deeply about this problem.

Translation Hint

He deeply understands the in-house system.

§ 深く in School/Academic Settings

In academic contexts, 深く is frequently used to talk about in-depth study, profound insights, or a thorough exploration of a subject. It signifies a level of engagement beyond the superficial.

• For academic study: Teachers might encourage students to study a topic deeply.
• When describing research: A professor might praise a student's research for going deeply into the subject matter.
• About understanding complex theories: Students often discuss the need to understand complex theories profoundly.

Translation Hint

He is deeply researching Japanese history.

Translation Hint

The teacher urged the students to think deeply about the problem.

§ 深く in News and Media

In news reports and media, 深く is often used to convey the seriousness, impact, or extensive nature of events. It adds gravity to descriptions.

• When reporting on societal issues: News anchors might speak about societal problems affecting people deeply.
• When describing emotions: It can convey profound feelings experienced by individuals or groups.
• Regarding political or economic impacts: Journalists often use it to describe the deep impact of policies or events.

Translation Hint

This economic crisis deeply affected the lives of the citizens.

Translation Hint

It is necessary to deeply investigate the cause of the accident.

§ Don't confuse 深く with 深い

Many learners, especially at the B1 level, tend to mix up adverbs and adjectives. While 深く (fukaku) is an adverb meaning "deeply" or "profoundly," 深い (fukai) is an adjective meaning "deep." It's a common trap because they share the same root. Think of it this way: 深い describes a noun (e.g., a deep lake), and 深く describes a verb or another adjective (e.g., thinking deeply).

Hint

That pond is deep.

Here, 深い modifies "pond" (池), which is a noun. It tells you *what kind* of pond it is.

Hint

He thought deeply.

In this sentence, 深く modifies "thought" (考えた), which is a verb. It describes *how* he thought.

§ Overusing 「非常に深く」

While it's not grammatically incorrect to say 非常に深く (hijō ni fukaku), which literally means "very deeply," native speakers often find it a bit redundant in many contexts. 深く itself already carries a strong sense of depth or intensity. Adding 非常に can sometimes make your Japanese sound less natural or overly formal for the situation. It's similar to saying "very very deep" in English – sometimes it's appropriate for emphasis, but often just "very deep" or even just "deep" suffices.

Hint

His words resonated deeply with my heart.

In this sentence, 深く is enough to convey the intensity of the resonance. Adding 非常に wouldn't necessarily make it stronger, just more wordy.

§ Incorrectly applying "deeply" to abstract concepts

While 深く can certainly apply to abstract concepts like feelings or thoughts, learners sometimes try to force it into contexts where a different adverb would be more natural. For example, while you can say you understand something deeply (深く理解する), you wouldn't necessarily say you "deeply like" a food (深く好き). In such cases, other adverbs like とても (totemo - very) or 本当に (hontō ni - truly) would be more appropriate.

Hint

I deeply considered that problem.

Here, 深く works well with 考察する (kōsatsu suru - to consider deeply) because it implies a thorough and profound examination.

However, consider this incorrect usage:

• 私はこのラーメンが深く好きです。(Watashi wa kono ramen ga fukaku suki desu.)

While you might "deeply love" something, in Japanese, for a simple liking, 深く好き sounds unnatural. Instead, you would say:

Hint

I really like this ramen.

§ Misunderstanding "intimately" nuance

While 深く can mean "intimately," this nuance is quite specific and not as broadly applicable as "deeply" or "profoundly." It usually refers to a deep, personal connection or involvement. Learners might sometimes use it to mean "very closely" in a general sense, which can sound awkward. For example, you wouldn't say two objects are 深く connected if you mean they are just physically close. It implies a deeper, often emotional or intellectual, bond.

Hint

The two loved each other deeply/intimately.

Here, "intimately" works because it speaks to a profound, personal connection. However, if you're talking about two facts being closely related, you might use 密接に (missetsu ni - closely/intimately related) or 強く (tsuyoku - strongly) instead of 深く.

• この二つの事実は深く関係している。(Kono futatsu no jijitsu wa fukaku kankei shite iru.)

While not strictly wrong, 密接に or 強く might be more natural depending on the exact nuance you want to convey about the relationship between facts. 深く here implies a profound, underlying connection rather than just a close one.