Meaning
to become absorbed in; to be obsessed with; to lose oneself in; to be crazy about
Nuance & Usage
夢中になる describes becoming completely absorbed or captivated by something. 夢中 (muchuu) literally means "inside a dream" — hence the sense of being so absorbed that the outside world disappears. Common usage: 〇〇に夢中になる (become absorbed in ○○), 夢中で (absorbed, without thinking). It carries a positive nuance of passionate engagement, unlike 依存する (ison suru — to depend on/be addicted to), which is more negative. 夢中になっている人 = an enthusiast/passionate person.
Common Mistakes
Learners confuse 夢中になる (become absorbed/passionate about something) with 熱心な (nesshin na — enthusiastic, earnest). 夢中になる implies losing yourself completely; 熱心 describes steady, earnest dedication. Also: the particle is に (〇〇に夢中になる), not が or を. Don't confuse 夢中 with 夢 (yume — dream/goal) — same kanji but different word.
Example Sentences
子どものころ、ゲームに夢中になっていました。
こどものころ、げーむにむちゅうになっていました。
When I was a child, I was completely absorbed in video games.
最近、日本語の勉強に夢中です。
さいきん、にほんごのべんきょうにむちゅうです。
Lately, I've been totally absorbed in studying Japanese.
彼はサッカーに夢中で、毎日練習しています。
かれはさっかーにむちゅうで、まいにちれんしゅうしています。
He's crazy about soccer and practices every day.
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