Japanese Conversation · Level 46
90 words
Japanese word
囲む
Pronunciation
Romajikakomu
Meaning
- verbsurround
Example
子どもたちが先生を囲みます。ko do mo ta chi ga sen sei o kako mi ma su
The children surround the teacher.
More examples
寒い夜、みんなで火を囲みました。samu i yoru mi n na de hi o kako mi ma shi ta
On a cold night, everyone gathered around the fire.
Core concept
Places people or things all around something, creating a boundary around it without necessarily enclosing it completely.
Common phrases
テーブルを囲むtē bu ru o kako mu
gather around the table
火を囲むhi o kako mu
gather around the fire
Similar words
取り囲むtorikakomu: To surround someone or something closely on all sides, often forming a clear ring.
取り巻くtorimaku: To stand or gather around a person or thing, often as a group.
囲うkakou: To put a boundary around something or keep it within a bounded space.
Definition in Japanese
人や物の周囲を取り巻き、外側から中を取り囲むこと。hito ya mono no shū i o to ri ma ki soto gawa ka ra naka o to ri kako mu ko to
Word origin
囲む (kakomu) is a native Japanese verb meaning "to surround"; it is related to 囲う (kakō), an older native verb with the same core sense.
Usage tips
- In everyday English, surround usually describes people or things on all sides, while enclose more often suggests a complete boundary or container.
Other meanings
- encloseverb
- fence inverb
Related words
- 囲みkakomisurroundingnoun