What it means
Literally “swamp,” 沼 metaphorically describes getting deeply hooked on a fandom, hobby, game, or creator. It can describe the absorbing thing or the experience of being pulled in.
How to use it
Often appears in phrases like 沼にハマる (get hooked) or 〇〇沼 (the 〇〇 rabbit hole). The image is playful, but it can also suggest that the interest is consuming lots of time or money.
rabbit holeI’m hookeddeep in the fandom
Examples in conversation
友達に勧められたアニメで、完全に沼った。
A friend recommended an anime and now I’m completely hooked.
このゲーム、気づいたら沼にハマってた。
I somehow fell down a rabbit hole with this game.
Where it comes from
An extension of the literal image of a swamp: once you step in, it is hard to get out. The metaphor is used in fan communities and beyond; avoid claiming a single origin without evidence.
Related slang
Further reading
We use references to check meaning and background. Examples on this page are original.