募る
To grow stronger, intensify, or become severer (of feelings).
募る في 30 ثانية
- Used for feelings getting stronger over time.
- Used for recruiting people or soliciting donations.
- Common in news, business, and romantic literature.
- Intransitive (ga) for feelings; Transitive (wo) for recruiting.
The Japanese verb 募る (つのる - tsunoru) is a fascinating word because it operates in two distinct semantic dimensions: the internal world of escalating emotions and the external world of public recruitment. For an English speaker, it is best understood as a bridge between 'growing stronger' (like a storm or a feeling) and 'soliciting' (like seeking volunteers). At its core, the word implies an accumulation or an increase in intensity over time. When used intransitively, it describes feelings like anxiety, sadness, or love reaching a point where they become overwhelming. When used transitively, it describes the act of gathering or inviting people to participate in something.
- Emotional Escalation
- In this context, 募る describes feelings that 'mount up' or 'intensify.' It is often used with negative or heavy emotions like 不安 (fuan - anxiety), 悲しみ (kanashimi - sadness), or 恋心 (koigokoro - romantic feelings). It suggests a process where the feeling starts small and gradually becomes more severe or uncontrollable.
離れれば離れるほど、彼女への想いが募るばかりだ。(The further apart we are, the more my feelings for her intensify.)
- Recruitment and Solicitation
- This is the more 'business-like' side of the word. You will see it in advertisements, job postings, and charity drives. It translates to 'to invite,' 'to recruit,' or 'to solicit.' Whether a company is looking for new employees or a non-profit is seeking donations, 募る is the standard professional term for this action.
新しいプロジェクトの参加者を募っています。(We are currently recruiting participants for the new project.)
In literature and news, you might also see it applied to weather patterns. A storm 'growing more violent' is often described using 募る. This usage emphasizes the unstoppable nature of the increase. Understanding this word requires recognizing whether the subject is a person (doing the recruiting) or an abstract noun like 'storm' or 'longing' (doing the intensifying). This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in both romantic novels and corporate boardrooms.
Mastering 募る involves understanding the particle usage associated with its two primary meanings. When you are talking about feelings intensifying, you will almost always use the particle が (ga) because the emotion is the subject performing the action of 'growing stronger.' Conversely, when you are recruiting or soliciting, you use を (wo) because you are acting upon a group of people or resources.
- Grammar Pattern: Feelings
- [Emotion] + が + 募る. This structure is used to describe an internal state that is becoming more severe. It is very common in the continuous form (募っている) or the resultative state.
試験が近づくにつれて、不安が募ってきた。(As the exam approached, my anxiety grew stronger.)
- Grammar Pattern: Recruitment
- [Target] + を + 募る. This is used when an organization or person is actively seeking something from the public. Common targets include 寄付 (donations), 意見 (opinions), or 会員 (members).
政府は広く国民の意見を募ることにした。(The government decided to broadly solicit opinions from the public.)
One nuance to keep in mind is the 'passive' vs. 'active' feel. When feelings 募る, it feels like something happening to you—you are a bystander to your own escalating emotions. When you 募る volunteers, you are the active agent. This makes the word a powerful tool for conveying both vulnerability and leadership depending on the syntax.
You will encounter 募る in a variety of real-world contexts, ranging from the news to romantic dramas. Understanding these environments will help you recognize the intended meaning immediately. Because it has two distinct meanings, the context is your best clue.
- Business and News Contexts
- In Japanese news (NHK, etc.), you will frequently hear this word in reports about fundraising or job markets. Phrases like '寄付を募る' (soliciting donations) or '希望退職者を募る' (seeking voluntary retirees) are staples of economic reporting. It sounds professional and formal.
被災地を支援するため、募金を募っています。(We are soliciting donations to support the disaster-stricken areas.)
- Literary and Dramatic Contexts
- In novels, lyrics, and anime, 募る is the go-to word for describing unrequited love or growing resentment. It adds a poetic layer to the description of feelings, suggesting that the emotion is growing like a rising tide. If a character says '想いが募る' (omoi ga tsunoru), they are expressing a deep, intensifying longing.
雨が激しくなり、帰宅を急ぐ人々の焦燥感が募った。(The rain became heavy, and the sense of frustration among people rushing home grew.)
Even in social media, you might see '参加者募集中' (Participants currently being recruited), which uses the noun form of the same kanji. While the verb itself is slightly more formal, the concept is ubiquitous in Japanese society, from grassroots community organizing to the highest levels of government communication.
One of the most common pitfalls for learners is confusing 募る (tsunoru) with other verbs that mean 'to increase' or 'to gather.' While they may seem similar in a dictionary, their usage is quite specific.
- Mistake 1: Confusing with 増える (Fueru)
- 増える simply means a numerical increase (more apples, more people). 募る refers to the *intensity* or *severity* of a state. You wouldn't say your weight 'tsunoru'—you'd say it 'fueru.' Use 募る for things that have a 'pressure' or 'emotional weight' to them.
- Mistake 2: Confusing with 集める (Atsumeru)
- 集める is a general word for 'collecting' (stamps, garbage, information). 募る specifically implies an *invitation* or *solicitation*. If you are picking up trash, use 集める. If you are asking people to volunteer to pick up trash, use 募る.
❌ 趣味で切手を募っています。(Incorrect: Recruiting stamps as a hobby.)
✅ 趣味で切手を集めています。(Correct: Collecting stamps as a hobby.)
Another mistake is using 募る for positive physical changes, like a plant growing. 募る is almost always reserved for abstract concepts (emotions, weather, social recruitment). It carries a certain 'gravity'—it's not a light or casual word for growth.
Depending on whether you mean 'to intensify' or 'to recruit,' there are several alternatives to 募る that might fit your context better. Choosing the right one shows a high level of Japanese proficiency.
- Alternatives for 'Intensify'
- 1. 激しくなる (hage-shiku naru): To become violent or intense. Good for weather or physical pain.
2. 高まる (takamaru): To rise or heighten. Often used for expectations (期待が高まる) or tension (緊張が高まる).
3. 増す (masu): To increase. A very versatile word for both quantity and quality.
- Alternatives for 'Recruit'
- 1. 募集する (boshuu suru): The noun-verb form of 募る. This is the most common way to say 'to recruit' in daily life, especially in written signs.
2. 求人する (kyuujin suru): Specifically for seeking employees/job hunting.
3. 呼びかける (yobikakeru): To call out to or appeal to. Used when trying to get people's attention for a cause.
Comparison:
募る: Emotional/Formal recruitment.
高まる: Rising levels (excitement/tension).
募集する: Standard recruitment (job/club).
How Formal Is It?
"広く一般から意見を募る所存です。"
"新しいメンバーを募っています。"
"寂しさが募っちゃってさ。"
"いっしょにあそぶ人をあつめよう(募ろう)。"
"ガチで不安募るわ。"
حقيقة ممتعة
The kanji 募 contains the element for 'strength' (力) and 'grass/sun' (莫), originally suggesting the effort of gathering things together under the sun.
دليل النطق
- Pronouncing 'tsu' as 'su'.
- Stressing the first syllable like English 'SOON-oru'.
- Confusing with 'tsunami' rhythm.
- Failing to flip the 'r' sound (it's between 'l' and 'd').
- Mispronouncing 'no' as 'nu'.
مستوى الصعوبة
The kanji is common but distinct from 'maku' (to sow).
The kanji 募 has several strokes and requires precision.
The 'tsu' sound can be tricky for English speakers.
Needs context to distinguish between recruit/intensify.
ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك
المتطلبات الأساسية
تعلّم لاحقاً
متقدم
قواعد يجب معرفتها
Intransitive vs Transitive
不安が募る (Intransitive) vs 寄付を募る (Transitive)
~につれて (As...)
時間が経つにつれて、想いが募る。
Bakari da (Only keeps...)
不安が募るばかりだ。
Causative ~saseru
彼の言葉が私の不安を募らせた。
Noun form ~chu
参加者募集中。
أمثلة حسب المستوى
この店はアルバイトを募っています。
This shop is recruiting part-time workers.
募る is used here for recruitment.
メンバーを募りましょう。
Let's recruit members.
Volitional form of 募る.
寄付を募る。
To solicit donations.
Direct object with を.
参加者を募る。
To recruit participants.
Standard transitive usage.
意見を募る。
To solicit opinions.
Used for ideas or feedback.
ボランティアを募る。
To recruit volunteers.
Common social context.
名前を募る。
To solicit names (e.g., for a new baby animal).
Used for naming contests.
アイデアを募る。
To solicit ideas.
Brainstorming context.
新しいクラブのメンバーを募っています。
We are recruiting members for a new club.
~te iru form for ongoing recruitment.
インターネットで寄付を募りました。
We solicited donations on the internet.
Past tense of 募る.
冬になり、寒さが募ってきた。
It became winter, and the cold intensified.
Intransitive use for weather/sensation.
彼は新しいアイデアを広く募った。
He broadly solicited new ideas.
Broad solicitation.
不安が募る毎日です。
Every day, my anxiety grows.
Intransitive use for emotions.
ポスターで参加者を募りましょう。
Let's recruit participants using posters.
Method + de particle.
祭りの手伝いを募っています。
We are recruiting help for the festival.
Recruiting specific help.
寂しさが募る夜。
A night when loneliness intensifies.
Poetic emotional use.
会えない時間が長いほど、恋しさが募る。
The longer we can't meet, the more my longing intensifies.
Classic emotional intensification.
政府は新税制について国民の意見を募った。
The government solicited the public's opinions on the new tax system.
Formal public solicitation.
不景気で、将来への不安が募るばかりだ。
Due to the recession, anxiety about the future just keeps growing.
Bakari da emphasizes the continuous increase.
そのチャリティーイベントでは、多くの募金を募った。
At that charity event, they solicited many donations.
Event-based solicitation.
風雨が次第に募り、外に出るのが危険になった。
The wind and rain gradually intensified, making it dangerous to go outside.
Used for natural phenomena.
彼は自分のミスを隠していることに罪悪感が募った。
His guilt over hiding his mistake grew stronger.
Abstract emotional growth.
新しいアプリのテスターを募っています。
We are recruiting testers for a new app.
Tech industry context.
郷愁が募り、彼は故郷に帰ることを決めた。
His nostalgia grew so strong that he decided to return to his hometown.
Nostalgia as the subject.
経営悪化に伴い、会社は希望退職者を募ることにした。
Due to worsening management, the company decided to solicit voluntary retirees.
Standard corporate phrasing.
議論は白熱し、会場には緊張感が募っていった。
The discussion heated up, and the tension in the room intensified.
Describing atmosphere.
沈黙が続くにつれ、彼女のいらだちは募る一方だった。
As the silence continued, her frustration only continued to grow.
Ippou da shows a one-way trend.
被災者のために、全国から救援物資を募った。
We solicited relief supplies from across the country for the disaster victims.
Soliciting physical goods.
独裁政権に対する国民の不満が募り、ついに暴動が起きた。
The public's dissatisfaction with the dictatorship grew, and finally, a riot broke out.
Social/Political context.
その小説は、孤独感が募る主人公の心情を巧みに描いている。
The novel skillfully depicts the feelings of the protagonist, whose sense of loneliness is intensifying.
Literary analysis context.
コンテストの作品を広く一般から募る。
To broadly solicit works for the contest from the general public.
Public invitation.
夜が更けるにつれ、寒さが一段と募ってきた。
As the night deepened, the cold intensified even further.
Focus on natural progression.
長引く自粛生活の中で、閉塞感が募るのは避けられない。
In a prolonged period of self-restraint, a mounting sense of entrapment is inevitable.
Advanced social commentary.
彼は沈黙を守ったが、内心では怒りが募り、爆発寸前だった。
He remained silent, but inside, his anger was mounting and was on the verge of exploding.
Internal vs. external state.
その歴史的建造物の修復費用を募るため、クラウドファンディングが活用された。
Crowdfunding was utilized to solicit the restoration costs for that historical building.
Modern financial context.
秋の気配が募る中、木々は色づき始めた。
As the signs of autumn intensified, the trees began to change color.
Poetic description of seasons.
情報の非対称性が、投資家の不信感を募らせる要因となっている。
Asymmetry of information is a factor that causes investors' distrust to intensify.
Causative form (tsunoraseru).
伝統芸能の継承者を募ることは、現代社会において容易ではない。
Soliciting successors for traditional arts is not easy in modern society.
Cultural preservation context.
彼女の不在が、彼の中にある後悔の念を募らせた。
Her absence caused the feelings of regret within him to grow stronger.
Causative emotional impact.
多額の負債を抱え、破産への恐怖が募る日々を送っている。
Carrying a large debt, he spends his days with a mounting fear of bankruptcy.
Psychological pressure.
辺境の地で独り過ごすうちに、人恋しさが募り、狂気すら感じ始めた。
While spending time alone in a remote land, his longing for human company intensified to the point where he began to feel madness.
Extreme psychological state.
その政策は格差を助長し、社会の分断を募らせる結果となった。
That policy encouraged inequality and resulted in intensifying the division of society.
Abstract societal impact.
晩秋の寂寥感が募る夕暮れ時、彼はふと足を止めた。
At dusk, when the sense of late-autumn desolation was intensifying, he suddenly stopped.
High-level literary atmosphere.
学術的知見を広く世界から募ることで、研究は飛躍的に進展した。
By soliciting academic insights broadly from around the world, the research progressed exponentially.
Professional/Academic solicitation.
疑念が募るにつれ、かつての信頼関係は音を立てて崩れていった。
As suspicion mounted, the once-trusted relationship began to crumble audibly.
Metaphorical collapse.
その作家の文体は、読者の不安を募らせる独特の律動を持っている。
That author's prose has a unique rhythm that causes the reader's anxiety to mount.
Literary criticism.
資本を募る段階において、透明性の確保は極めて重要である。
At the stage of soliciting capital, ensuring transparency is extremely important.
High-level business terminology.
静寂の中に身を置くと、かえって雑念が募ることもある。
Placing oneself in silence can sometimes actually cause worldly thoughts to intensify.
Philosophical paradox.
تلازمات شائعة
العبارات الشائعة
募る想い
広く募る
一方的に募る
焦りが募る
公に募る
寄付金を募る
参加を募る
募集を募る
悲しみが募る
怒りが募る
يُخلط عادةً مع
Fueru is for quantity (numbers); Tsunoru is for quality/intensity.
Atsumeru is physical gathering; Tsunoru is inviting/soliciting.
Takamaru is 'rising' (often positive/neutral); Tsunoru is 'mounting' (often heavy/serious).
تعبيرات اصطلاحية
"想いが募る"
To have feelings for someone grow stronger and stronger.
遠距離恋愛で想いが募る。
Literary"不安が募る"
Anxiety mounting to a point of distress.
連絡が取れず、不安が募る一方だ。
Neutral"嵐が募る"
The storm is reaching its peak intensity.
外は嵐が募っている。
Literary"不満が募る"
Dissatisfaction building up over time.
労働条件への不満が募る。
Neutral"疑念が募る"
Suspicions growing more certain.
彼の言動に疑念が募る。
Neutral"寂しさが募る"
Loneliness becoming more acute.
一人暮らしで寂しさが募る。
Neutral"焦燥感が募る"
A sense of irritation and impatience mounting.
時間がなく焦燥感が募る。
Neutral"期待が募る"
Expectations rising (less common than 'takamaru' but used).
新製品への期待が募る。
Neutral"恐怖が募る"
Fear intensifying.
暗闇の中で恐怖が募った。
Neutral"憎しみが募る"
Hatred deepening.
裏切りにより憎しみが募る。
Neutralسهل الخلط
Same kanji.
Bokin is specifically for money; Tsunoru is the action of soliciting anything.
募金を募る。
Noun form.
Boshuu is the act of recruitment; Tsunoru is the verb 'to recruit'.
メンバーを募集する。
Same kanji.
Oubo is 'to apply' (the response); Tsunoru is 'to recruit' (the request).
募集に応募する。
Means collect.
Shuushuu is for data or garbage; Tsunoru is for people or feelings.
ゴミを収集する。
Means summon.
Shoushuu is a mandatory summons
أنماط الجُمل
[Emotion] + が + 募る
悲しみが募る。
[Target] + を + 募る
寄付を募る。
[Condition] + につれて + [Emotion] + が + 募る
夜が更けるにつれて、不安が募る。
[Emotion] + が + 募る + 一方だ
不満が募る一方だ。
[Target] + を + 広く + 募る
意見を広く募る。
[Subject] + が + [Emotion] + を + 募らせる
不況が不安を募らせる。
[Abstract concept] + が + 募る
閉塞感が募る。
[Target] + 募集中
アルバイト募集中。
عائلة الكلمة
الأسماء
الأفعال
مرتبط
كيفية الاستخدام
Common in written news and literature; moderate in daily speech.
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Imagine 'Soon, the snow (tsu-no) will grow stronger (tsunoru).' Or think of a 'tsunami' of feelings mounting up.
ربط بصري
A mountain of coins (donations) being 'piled up' or a rising red bar on a thermometer (intensifying feeling).
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Try to use 'tsunoru' in a sentence about a weather event and then in a sentence about a social club.
أصل الكلمة
Derived from the Old Japanese verb 'tsumu' (積む), which means 'to pile up' or 'to accumulate.'
المعنى الأصلي: To accumulate or to become stacked.
Japonicالسياق الثقافي
When using the 'recruitment' meaning, ensure you are using 'wo.' When using the 'intensify' meaning, use 'ga.' Mixing them can sound very strange.
English speakers often use separate words: 'recruit' for people and 'intensify' for feelings. Japanese combines them through the concept of accumulation.
تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية
سياقات واقعية
Job Hunting
- 求人を募る
- 経験者を募る
- 急募
- 募集要項
Charity
- 募金を募る
- 支援を募る
- 寄付金
- チャリティー
Romance
- 想いが募る
- 恋しさが募る
- 切なさが募る
- 愛しさが募る
Weather
- 嵐が募る
- 吹雪が募る
- 寒さが募る
- 雨脚が募る
Politics
- 不満が募る
- 不信感が募る
- 意見を募る
- 反対の声が募る
بدايات محادثة
"最近、何か不安が募っていることはありますか? (Is there anything you've been feeling increasingly anxious about lately?)"
"新しいプロジェクトで、メンバーを募る必要がありますね。 (We need to recruit members for the new project, don't we?)"
"このイベント、どうやって参加者を募りましょうか? (How should we go about recruiting participants for this event?)"
"冬になると、故郷への想いが募ります。 (When winter comes, my longing for my hometown intensifies.)"
"ボランティアを募るチラシを作りました。 (I made a flyer to recruit volunteers.)"
مواضيع للكتابة اليومية
最近、心の中で募っている感情について書いてください。 (Write about an emotion that has been mounting in your heart lately.)
もしあなたが新しい国を作るなら、どんな国民を募りますか? (If you were to create a new country, what kind of citizens would you recruit?)
将来への不安が募ったとき、あなたはどう対処しますか? (How do you cope when anxiety about the future grows stronger?)
誰かへの感謝の気持ちが募った経験を教えてください。 (Tell me about an experience where your feelings of gratitude toward someone intensified.)
地域社会で何かを募るとしたら、あなたは何を募りますか? (If you were to solicit something in your local community, what would it be?)
Summary
募る (tsunoru) is a versatile verb that bridges the gap between 'mounting emotions' and 'formal recruitment.' Whether you are feeling anxious (不安が募る) or seeking volunteers (ボランティアを募る), the core concept is an accumulation or escalation.
- Used for feelings getting stronger over time.
- Used for recruiting people or soliciting donations.
- Common in news, business, and romantic literature.
- Intransitive (ga) for feelings; Transitive (wo) for recruiting.
محتوى ذو صلة
مزيد من كلمات emotions
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1الشعور بالإنجاز بعد بذل الجهد.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.