Japanese word

組む

Pronunciation

Romajikumu

Meaning

  • verbcross

Example

私は腕を組みます。watashi wa ude o ku mi ma su

I cross my arms.

Illustration for 組む (cross)

More examples

緊張すると、私は胸の前で腕を組みます。kin chō su ru to watashi wa mune no mae de ude o ku mi ma su

When I get nervous, I cross my arms in front of my chest.

Core concept

Brings separate parts together so they form a connected or combined whole.

Common phrases

  • 腕を組むude o ku mu

    cross one's arms

  • 足を組むashi o ku mu

    cross one's legs

Similar words

交差するkōsasuru: To meet and cross at a point, as lines, roads, or body parts.
重ねるkasaneru: To put one thing over another so that the two overlap.

Definition in Japanese

両腕を胸の前で交差させる。ryō ude o mune no mae de kō sa sa se ru

Word origin

組む (kumu) is a native Japanese verb meaning to put things together, and its arm sense comes from bringing the arms together into a crossed arrangement.

Usage tips

  • In English, crossing the arms describes a posture as well as an action, and it may suggest waiting or defensiveness depending on the context.

Other meanings

  • link armsverb

Word lists with this word