周り
mawari
The English word "around" can be translated into Japanese as 周り (mawari).
周り is used to refer to the area near something or the immediate vicinity.
Meaning: near (prep)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 周り literally refers to the circumference, periphery or the area surrounding something.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective to modify a noun (like 'surrounding people'), the noun 周り takes the particle の (no).
How do you pronounce it?
mawari
Did you know?
- The phrase 周りが見えない literally means 'cannot see around', but it is an idiom used to describe someone who is so obsessed or panicked that they lack situational awareness.
- The word 周り can be used in the phrase 周りの目 (mawari no me), which literally means 'the eyes of those around'. This is a common expression used to describe the pressure of social scrutiny or public opinion.
- If you want to say 'around the world', Japanese speakers often use the phrase 世界一周 (sekai isshū). This uses the character for 'one circuit' instead of the word for 'around' used in everyday local contexts.
Examples in context
- 僕は周りを見回した。I looked around me.Tatoeba #81858 by bunbuku, translation #321857 by CK
- 彼は周りを見渡した。He looked around.Tatoeba #104399 by bunbuku, translation #296675 by CK
- 周りの人に聞いてみて。Ask around.Tatoeba #10329999 by small_snow, translation #2111967 by CK
- 昨日のパーティーには10人ほど参加しました。Around ten people attended the party yesterday.
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are looking for a lost item in a park.
- 結衣 Yuiこの周りに何か落ちていないかな？Kono mawari ni nani ka ochite inai kana?Is there anything dropped around here?
- 陽太 Yota結衣、もう少し周りをよく見て。Yui, mou sukoshi mawari o yoku mite.Yui, please look around a bit more carefully.
- 結衣 Yuiあ、あそこに何かあるよ！A, asoko ni nani ka aru yo!Oh, there is something over there!
- 陽太 Yota本当だ、あったね。Hontou da, atta ne.You're right, we found it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
