Japanese word

周囲

Pronunciation

Romajishūi

Meaning

  • nounsurroundings

Example

学校の周囲に木があります。gak kō no shū i ni ki ga a ri ma su

There are trees around the school.

Illustration for 周囲 (surroundings)

More examples

駅の周囲には新しい店が増えています。eki no shū i ni wa atara shi i mise ga fu e te i ma su

More new stores are opening around the station.

Core concept

Describes what surrounds a person, place, or thing and forms its immediate setting.

Common phrases

  • 周囲の人shū i no hito

    people around one

  • 周囲を見回すshū i o mi mawa su

    look around

  • 周囲に気を配るshū i ni ki o kuba ru

    be mindful of one's surroundings

Similar words

まわりmawari: The area around a person, place, or thing in everyday speech.
周辺shūhen: The area surrounding a place or thing, especially its outer area.
付近fukin: The area near a particular place or thing.

Definition in Japanese

ある物や場所を取り巻く範囲や、その近くにいる人々。a ru mono ya ba sho o to ri ma ku han i ya so no chika ku ni i ru hito bito

Word origin

周囲 (shūi) combines 周 (shū, "around") with 囲 (i, "enclose"), so its structure points to what encloses or lies around a central point.

Usage tips

  • 周囲 (shūi) often appears in formal descriptions and announcements, while まわり (mawari) is more common in relaxed conversation.

Word lists with this word