Japanese word

周

Pronunciation

Romajishū

Meaning

  • counterlap

Example

プールを二周泳ぎます。pū ru o ni shū oyo gi ma su

I swim two laps in the pool.

Illustration for 周 (lap)

More examples

このコースを三周すると、かなり疲れます。ko no kō su o san shū su ru to ka na ri tsuka re ma su

You will get quite tired if you do three laps of this course.

Core concept

Marks one complete circuit around a course or enclosed area, focusing on the path returning to its starting point.

Common phrases

  • あと一周a to ichi shū

    one more lap

  • 一周するis shū su ru

    complete one lap

  • 二周目ni shū me

    the second lap

Similar words

回kai: A counter for one occurrence of an action or event.

Definition in Japanese

運動場やプールなどを一回りする回数を数える助数詞。un dō jō ya pū ru na do o ichi mawa ri su ru kai sū o kazo e ru jo sū shi

Word origin

周 (shū, "around; circumference") is a Sino-Japanese reading of a Chinese character whose core meaning is going around an area, which leads to its use for counting circuits.

Usage tips

  • English lap also means the upper legs when seated, but in phrases such as two laps of the pool it means one complete circuit, matching this counting use.

Other meanings

  • roundcounter

Word lists with this word