Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn 回る (mawaru). It means 'to turn' or 'to go around'. Imagine a wheel mawaru. Or you can mawaru around in a circle! It's a simple action. Like when a toy car goes around a track. Or when you spin your body. It is just one thing turning.
Mawaru is a verb meaning 'to turn' or 'to go around'. You can use it for objects that spin, like a fan mawaru. It can also describe movement in a circle, such as a planet mawaru around a star. Think of it as continuous circular movement. For example, 'The Earth mawaru around the sun.' This is a very common verb for describing rotation.
The Japanese verb 回る (mawaru) signifies movement in a circular path or rotation. It's used for physical objects turning, like a wheel mawaru, or for abstract concepts circulating, such as news mawaru. It can also describe visiting multiple places, like 'to go around town' (machi o mawaru). Understanding its intransitive nature is key – the subject itself is performing the rotation.
回る (mawaru) is a fundamental Japanese verb denoting rotation, revolution, or circulation. Beyond simple physical turning (e.g., a top spinning), it extends to concepts like the flow of money (okane ga mawaru) or the spread of information (uwasa ga mawaru). It can also imply a tour or a circuitous route (machi o mawaru). Its intransitive usage emphasizes the subject's inherent motion, distinguishing it from transitive verbs that imply causing something else to turn.
The verb 回る (mawaru) encompasses a broad semantic field related to circular motion, rotation, and circulation. Its applications range from the literal (celestial bodies revolving) to the figurative (rumors spreading, finances circulating). The nuance lies in the intransitive nature, focusing on the subject's self-directed movement. Context is crucial for discerning whether it implies physical rotation, cyclical passage of time, distribution, or a journey through multiple points.
回る (mawaru), a core intransitive verb, denotes cyclical movement, rotation, and circulation. Its etymology, linked to the kanji 回, emphasizes the concept of turning or returning. Beyond its literal applications in physics and astronomy, mawaru functions metaphorically to describe the dynamics of social phenomena (information flow, economic circulation), the passage of time, and even personal experiences of travel or exploration. Mastery involves recognizing its subtle extensions into idiomatic and abstract usage, differentiating it from related transitive verbs.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 回る (mawaru) means to turn, rotate, or go around.
- It's an intransitive verb, focusing on the subject's own motion.
- Used for physical rotation, circulation (rumors, money), and travel.
- Common in idioms like 'me ga mawaru' (dizzy/busy).
Hey there! Let's dive into the awesome Japanese verb 回る (mawaru). It's a super useful word that basically means 'to turn,' 'to go around,' or 'to revolve.' Think about anything that moves in a circle or spins – that's mawaru in action! It's an intransitive verb, meaning the subject of the sentence is the one doing the turning, not something acting upon it. So, when you see mawaru, picture something like a wheel spinning, a planet orbiting, or even just you doing a little spin yourself!
We use mawaru in so many everyday situations. It can describe the physical rotation of objects, like a fan mawaru on the ceiling, or the movement of things in a cycle, such as news mawaru from person to person. It can also describe journeys or tours, like when you mawaru different shops in a mall. It’s a versatile verb that captures the essence of circular motion and repetition.
The word 回る (mawaru) has a fascinating history rooted in the evolution of the Japanese language. Its kanji character, 回, originally comes from Chinese and signifies 'to circle,' 'to revolve,' or 'to return.' This character itself visually suggests a cyclical movement, often depicted as something turning or coming back.
Over centuries, mawaru developed to encapsulate various forms of circular motion. In older Japanese texts, you might see variations or related terms that also conveyed the idea of turning or going around. The verb's intransitive nature – focusing on the subject performing the rotation – is a key aspect that has remained consistent. It’s a testament to how language evolves to describe fundamental physical concepts like rotation and circulation, a concept shared across many cultures and languages, though the specific characters and sounds differ.
Mawaru is incredibly versatile! You'll hear it used for physical rotation, like a 地球が太陽の周りを回る (chikyū ga taiyō no mawari o mawaru - the Earth revolves around the sun). It's also used for things that circulate, such as 噂が回る (uwasa ga mawaru - rumors spread) or お金が回る (okane ga mawaru - money circulates/flows). Don't forget about tours or visits; you might say 街を回る (machi o mawaru - to go around town).
Common collocations include ぐるぐる回る (guruguru mawaru - to spin round and round), which adds emphasis to the spinning motion. You might also hear 一年回る (ichinen mawaru - a year passes/goes by), referring to the cyclical nature of time. In a more casual setting, you could say ちょっと回ってきます (chotto mawatte kimasu - I'll go around for a bit and come back). Remember, mawaru is intransitive, so it's the subject that's doing the turning!
Mawaru pops up in some really colorful idioms! Here are a few:
- 目が回る (me ga mawaru): Literally 'eyes spin,' this means to feel dizzy or be extremely busy. Example: 仕事が多くて目が回るようだ。(Shigoto ga ōkute me ga mawaru yō da. - I'm so busy with work, it feels like my head is spinning.)
- 世間を回る (seken o mawaru): To travel around the world or experience various things in society. Example: 若いうちに世間を回るべきだ。(Wakai uchi ni seken o mawaru beki da. - You should travel the world while you're young.)
- 話が回る (hanashi ga mawaru): For a story or topic to be passed around or discussed among people. Example: その面白い話が皆のところで回っている。(Sono omoshiroi hanashi ga minna no tokoro de mawatte iru. - That interesting story is going around.)
- 一年回る (ichinen mawaru): A year passes or goes by. Example: あっという間に一年回った。(Atto iu ma ni ichinen mawatta. - A year passed in the blink of an eye.)
- 勘定が回る (kanjō ga mawaru): To manage finances or make ends meet. Example: 毎月の家賃の勘定がなかなか回らない。(Maitsuki no yachin no kanjō ga nakanaka mawaranai. - It's difficult to make ends meet for the monthly rent.)
Mawaru is a Group 1 verb (a 'u'-verb) in Japanese, meaning its stem doesn't change when forming different tenses or moods. For example, the past tense is mawarimashita (回りました), the negative is mawarimasen (回りません), and the te-form is mawatte (回って).
Pronunciation is straightforward: ma-wa-ru. Each syllable is pronounced clearly. In British English, it sounds like 'mah-wah-roo.' In American English, it's very similar, 'mah-wah-roo.' There are no tricky silent letters or complex vowel shifts. Rhyming words are rare in Japanese due to its syllable structure, but words ending in '-aru' might share a similar sonic quality, though they aren't true rhymes in the English sense.
A common pronunciation error for learners might be to rush the syllables or not pronounce the 'r' sound clearly. Ensure each sound is distinct. The stress pattern is generally even across the syllables.
Fun Fact
The character 回 is used in various contexts, including 'to return' (帰る - kaeru, which has 回 in its older forms) and 'to answer' (応える - kotaeru, also related to returning a response).
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'muh-WAH-roo', with the emphasis slightly on the second syllable, and a clear 'r' sound.
Similar to British pronunciation, 'muh-WAH-roo', with even syllable emphasis.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'r' as in English 'r' instead of the Japanese flap 'r' (similar to Spanish 'r').
- Adding an 'uh' sound after the final 'u', making it sound like 'mawaru-uh'.
- Incorrectly stressing syllables, often putting too much emphasis on 'wa'.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Kanji can be challenging, but the verb itself is common.
Distinguishing intransitive 'mawaru' from transitive 'mawasu' requires practice.
Pronunciation is relatively straightforward.
Requires understanding context to differentiate from similar verbs.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Intransitive vs. Transitive Verbs
地球が回る (intransitive) vs. 車輪を回す (transitive).
Te-form for connecting actions
街を回って、店に行った。
Using ～ように (yō ni) for 'designed to' or 'tend to'
自動で回るようになっている。
Examples by Level
車が回る。
car / turns.
Subject + Verb.
地球が回る。
Earth / turns.
Subject + Verb.
指を回る。
finger / turns.
Subject + Verb.
コマが回る。
spinning top / turns.
Subject + Verb.
扇風機が回る。
electric fan / turns.
Subject + Verb.
風が回る。
wind / turns.
Subject + Verb.
時計の針が回る。
clock's hands / turn.
Subject + Verb.
水が回る。
water / turns.
Subject + Verb.
地球は太陽の周りを回る。
Earth / sun's / around / turns.
Subject + の周りを + Verb.
この道はぐるぐる回る。
this / road / round and round / turns.
Adverb + Verb.
噂が町で回っている。
rumors / town / in / spreading.
Subject + で + Verb (progressive).
彼は世界中を回った。
he / world / all over / traveled around.
Subject + を + Verb (past).
お金がうまく回らない。
money / well / not circulating.
Subject + うまく + Verb (negative).
季節が回っていく。
seasons / turn / going.
Subject + Verb (progressive).
この遊園地はよく回る。
this / amusement park / often / busy/popular.
Subject + よく + Verb.
目が回るほど忙しい。
eyes / dizzy / to the extent / busy.
Noun + ほど + Adjective.
地球は太陽の周りを一年かけて回る。
Earth / sun's / around / one year / taking / turns.
Subject + の周りを + Duration + Verb.
この機械は自動で回るようになっている。
this / machine / automatically / turns / has become.
Subject + Verb + ように + なっている.
彼は多くの国を回って、多くのことを学んだ。
he / many / countries / visited / many / things / learned.
Subject + Object + を + Verb (te-form) + Object + を + Verb.
最近、経済がうまく回っていないようだ。
recently / economy / well / not circulating / seems.
Subject + うまく + Verb (negative) + ようだ.
その噂はすぐに町中に回った。
that / rumor / quickly / town / all over / spread.
Subject + にじゅう + Verb (past).
この工場では部品が次々と回されていく。
this / factory / parts / one after another / are circulated.
Subject + が + 次々と + Verb (passive).
彼は新しいビジネスのために各地を回っている。
he / new / business / for / various places / is visiting.
Subject + のために + Object + を + Verb (progressive).
この回転寿司の皿はベルトコンベアで回っている。
this / conveyor belt sushi / plates / belt conveyor / by / are turning.
Subject + で + Verb (progressive).
地球は自転しながら太陽の周りを公転している。
Earth / rotates / while / sun's / around / revolves.
Verb (stem) + ながら + Verb.
このシステムでは、情報が迅速に回るようになっている。
this / system / in / information / quickly / circulates / has become.
Subject + に + Verb + ように + なっている.
彼は長年、世界各地を回って文化交流に貢献してきた。
he / many years / world / various places / traveled / cultural exchange / contributed.
Subject + Object + を + Verb (te-form) + Object + に + Verb.
景気が悪く、市場のお金の流れが滞っている。
economy / bad / market's / money's / flow / is stagnant.
Subject + の + Noun + が + Verb (negative) + ている.
そのゴシップは瞬く間にSNS上で回った。
that / gossip / in a flash / SNS / on / spread.
Subject + 上で + Verb (past).
この製造ラインでは、部品が効率的に回される。
this / production line / parts / efficiently / are circulated.
Subject + が + Adverb + Verb (passive).
彼は新しいプロジェクトのために、関係部署を回って承認を得た。
he / new / project / for / related departments / visited / approval / obtained.
Subject + Object + を + Verb (te-form) + Object + を + Verb.
この最新式の洗濯機は、衣類を傷めずに回るように設計されている。
this / latest type / washing machine / clothes / without damaging / turns / designed.
Subject + Object + を + Verb (negative) + Verb + ように + 設計されている.
地球の自転と公転は、宇宙の壮大なリズムを形作っている。
Earth's / rotation / and / revolution / cosmic / grand / rhythm / are shaping.
Noun + と + Noun + は + Noun + を + Verb.
この高度な情報管理システムでは、データが瞬時に回るため、リアルタイムでの意思決定が可能になる。
this / advanced / information management system / data / instantly / circulates / because / real-time / decision making / possible.
Subject + に + Verb + ため、 + Noun + が + 可能になる.
彼は異文化理解を深めるため、世界各地を回遊し、現地の人々と交流を重ねてきた。
he / different cultures / understanding / deepen / for / world / various places / traveled extensively / local people / with / interaction / repeated.
Subject + Object + を + Verb (stem) + Object + と + Noun + を + Verb.
金融危機により、市場のお金の循環が著しく悪化し、経済活動全体に影響を与えている。
financial crisis / due to / market's / money's / circulation / significantly / worsened / economic activity / whole / affecting.
Noun + により、 + Noun + の + Noun + が + Adverb + Verb + し、 + Noun + に + Verb.
そのセンセーショナルなニュースは、ソーシャルメディアを通じて瞬く間に拡散し、世論を二分する事態となった。
that / sensational / news / social media / through / in a flash / spread / public opinion / divide / situation.
Subject + を + Verb (transitive) + し、 + Noun + を + Verb.
最新のロボット工学では、部品の精密な回転と連携により、複雑な作業が自動化されている。
latest / robotics / parts' / precise / rotation / and / coordination / complex / tasks / automated.
Noun + の + Noun + と + Noun + により、 + Noun + が + Verb (passive).
彼はプロジェクトの成功のために、関係部署を精力的に回り、各方面からの協力を取り付けた。
he / project's / success / for / related departments / energetically / visited / each aspect / from / cooperation / secured.
Subject + の + Noun + のために、 + Object + を + Adverb + Verb (te-form) + Object + からの + Noun + を + Verb.
この高度な洗濯乾燥機は、衣類の素材に合わせて回転数を調整し、最適な洗浄効果をもたらすように設計されている。
this / advanced / washing-drying machine / clothes' / material / according to / rotation speed / adjust / optimal / washing effect / bring about / designed.
Subject + Object + に + Verb + を + Verb + し、 + Noun + を + Verb + ように + 設計されている.
宇宙の法則は、天体の回転と公転という普遍的な運動原理に基づいている。
universe's / laws / celestial bodies' / rotation / and / revolution / universal / motion principles / based on.
Noun + の + Noun + と + Noun + という + Noun + に + Verb.
グローバル化が進む現代社会において、情報は光速で回るシステムが不可欠であり、その効率性が国家間の競争力を左右する。
globalization / progressing / modern society / in / information / light speed / circulates / system / essential / its / efficiency / between nations / competitiveness / influences.
Noun + において、 + Noun + は + Noun + で + Verb + システムが + Noun + であり、 + その + Noun + が + Noun + を + Verb.
彼は人類学の探求者として、辺境の地を巡り歩き、失われゆく文化の記録と保存に生涯を捧げてきた。
he / anthropologist / as / remote regions / traveled extensively / disappearing / cultures' / recording / and / preservation / life / dedicated.
Subject + の + Noun + として、 + Object + を + Verb + し、 + Noun + の + Noun + に + Noun + を + Verb.
金融システムの脆弱性は、連鎖的な信用不安を引き起こし、市場全体の資金循環を麻痺させる危険性を孕んでいる。
financial system's / vulnerability / chain-like / credit anxiety / causes / market's / whole / funds' / circulation / paralyze / danger / holds.
Noun + の + Noun + は、 + Noun + な + Noun + を + Verb + し、 + Noun + 全体 の + Noun + を + Verb + 危険性 を + 孕んでいる.
その政治スキャンダルは、メディアの憶測を呼び、瞬く間に国民の間に広まり、社会全体を揺るがす一大論争へと発展した。
that / political scandal / media's / speculation / invoked / in a flash / citizens / among / spread / society / whole / shook / major controversy / developed.
Subject + は、 + Noun + を + Verb + し、 + Noun + の + Verb + し、 + Noun + 全体 を + Verb + 一大 + Noun + へ と + Verb.
最先端のナノテクノロジーは、分子レベルでの精密な回転制御を可能にし、物質の特性を劇的に変化させる応用分野を開拓している。
cutting-edge / nanotechnology / molecular level / precise / rotation control / enables / material's / properties / dramatically / change / application fields / pioneering.
Noun + は、 + Noun + での + Noun + な + Noun + を + Verb + し、 + Noun + の + Noun + を + Adverb + Verb + Noun + を + Verb.
彼は多国籍企業のグローバル戦略立案者として、世界中の市場動向を綿密に分析し、各地域に最適化された事業展開を推進してきた。
he / multinational corporation's / global strategist / as / world's / market trends / meticulously / analyzed / each region / optimized / business development / promoted.
Subject + の + Noun + として、 + Object + を + Adverb + Verb + し、 + Object + に + Verb + された + Noun + を + Verb.
この革新的なバイオリアクターは、細胞培養プロセスにおける微細な回転速度の制御を通じて、医薬品開発の効率を飛躍的に向上させることを目指している。
this / innovative / bioreactor / cell culture process / in / microscopic / rotation speed / control / through / pharmaceuticals development / efficiency / dramatically / improve / aiming.
Subject + における + Noun + な + Noun + の + Noun + を + Verb + を + 通じて、 + Noun + の + Noun + を + Adverb + Verb + させる + こと を + Verb.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"目が回る (me ga mawaru)"
To feel dizzy; to be extremely busy.
仕事が山積みで目が回るようだ。
casual"世間を回る (seken o mawaru)"
To travel the world; to gain experience in society.
若い頃に世間を回ることは大切だ。
neutral"話が回る (hanashi ga mawaru)"
For a story or topic to be passed around or discussed.
その面白い話は皆のところで回っているらしい。
neutral"一年回る (ichinen mawaru)"
A year passes by.
あっという間に一年が回った。
neutral"勘定が回る (kanjō ga mawaru)"
To manage finances; to make ends meet.
毎月の生活費の勘定がなかなか回らない。
neutral"ぐるぐる回る (guruguru mawaru)"
To spin round and round; to revolve continuously.
子供がブランコでぐるぐる回っている。
casualEasily Confused
Both mean 'to go around' or 'circulate'.
Meguru often implies visiting multiple places or a broader sense of circulation (like seasons), while mawaru is more focused on physical rotation or spinning.
世界を巡る (sekai o meguru - travel the world) vs. 地球が回る (chikyū ga mawaru - the Earth revolves).
Both mean 'to rotate'.
Kaiten suru is often used in more technical or formal contexts, and can sometimes feel more transitive (causing rotation). Mawaru is a more general, common, and intransitive verb for rotation.
モーターが回転する (mōtā ga kaiten suru - the motor rotates) vs. 扇風機が回る (senpūki ga mawaru - the fan turns).
Both describe movement.
Susumu means to advance or move forward in a line. Mawaru is specifically for circular or revolving motion.
道を進む (michi o susumu - proceed along the road) vs. 道を回る (michi o mawaru - take a detour/go around the road).
Opposite actions.
Tomaru means to stop. Mawaru means to turn or revolve. They describe opposing states of motion.
車が止まる (kuruma ga tomaru - the car stops) vs. 車輪が回る (sharin ga mawaru - the wheel turns).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + が/は + 回る
地球が回る。(The Earth turns.)
Subject + を + 回る
街を回る。(To go around town.)
Noun + が + 回る
噂が回る。(Rumors spread.)
Adverb + 回る
ぐるぐる回る。(To spin round and round.)
Subject + の周りを + 回る
太陽の周りを回る。(To revolve around the sun.)
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Mawaru is intransitive; it describes the subject itself turning. Mawasu is transitive; it means to cause something else to turn.
進む implies linear progression, while 回る specifically denotes circular or revolving movement.
Japanese pronunciation generally has even stress, unlike English.
While 回る can imply 'going around and coming back', 帰る is the specific verb for returning to one's origin, especially home.
ぐるぐる is an onomatopoeia adding intensity; simple 回る is sufficient for basic rotation.
Tips
Visualize the Spin!
When you see 回る, immediately picture something spinning – a top, a wheel, or even yourself! This strong visual link will help you recall the meaning.
Intransitive is Key!
Remember, 回る is intransitive. The subject itself is doing the turning. If you want to say 'I turned the wheel', use the transitive verb 回す (mawasu).
The Cycle of Life
In Japanese culture, cycles are important. Think of seasons, years, and even the flow of fortune. 回る captures this sense of natural progression and circulation.
Te-Form for Sequences
When describing a journey involving multiple stops, use the te-form: 街を回って、店に行った (Machi o mawatte, mise ni itta - I went around town and then went to the store).
Smooth 'R' Sound
Practice the Japanese 'r' sound – it's a quick flap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth, softer than the English 'r'. Aim for 'ma-wa-ru' with even rhythm.
Don't Confuse with 'Susumu'
Avoid using 回る for straight-line movement. If something is going forward, use 進む (susumu). 回る is strictly for circular or revolving motion.
Kanji Clues
The kanji character 回 itself looks like something turning or spiraling, giving you a visual hint about the verb's meaning!
Contextual Learning
Learn 'mawaru' through real-world examples: Earth revolving, sushi belts, or even feeling dizzy. Context makes the meaning stick.
Figurative Flourishes
Explore the figurative uses like 'rumors spread' (噂が回る) and 'money circulates' (お金が回る). These show the verb's flexibility beyond simple physical rotation.
Daily Rotation Check
Every day, try to spot 3 things that 'mawaru' around you and say the sentence aloud. Consistency builds fluency!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'MA'gnet 'WA'nting to 'RU'n in circles around a pole.
Visual Association
Picture a spinning top (koma) or a merry-go-round.
Word Web
Challenge
Try describing 5 things you see that 'mawaru' in your room.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: The character 回 originally depicted a person turning around or a spiral path.
Cultural Context
No specific cultural sensitivities associated with this word.
In English, we use 'turn', 'rotate', 'revolve', 'spin', 'circle', 'go around', 'circulate'. The Japanese 'mawaru' covers many of these.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Daily Life
- 時計の針が回る。(Tokei no hari ga mawaru. - The clock hands turn.)
- 扇風機が回る。(Senpūki ga mawaru. - The fan is spinning.)
- 目が回るほど忙しい。(Me ga mawaru hodo isogashii. - Extremely busy.)
Travel
- 街を回る。(Machi o mawaru. - To go around town.)
- 世界を回る。(Sekai o mawaru. - To travel the world.)
- 観光地を回る。(Kankōchi o mawaru. - To visit tourist spots.)
Science & Nature
- 地球が回る。(Chikyū ga mawaru. - The Earth revolves.)
- 自転しながら回る。(Jiten shinagara mawaru. - To rotate while revolving.)
- 季節が回る。(Kisetsu ga mawaru. - The seasons change.)
Economy & Society
- お金が回る。(Okane ga mawaru. - Money circulates.)
- 噂が回る。(Uwasa ga mawaru. - Rumors spread.)
- 情報が回る。(Jōhō ga mawaru. - Information circulates.)
Conversation Starters
"What things around you 'mawaru' right now?"
"Have you ever felt 'me ga mawaru' because you were too busy?"
"If you could 'mawaru' anywhere in the world, where would you go?"
"Do you think money 'mawaru' smoothly in our economy?"
"What's something that 'mawaru' in a cycle in nature?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt dizzy ('me ga mawaru').
Write about a place you visited where you 'mawatta' around a lot.
Reflect on the cycle of seasons ('kisetsu ga mawaru') and how it affects you.
Imagine a world where information doesn't 'mawaru' quickly. What would be different?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsMawaru is intransitive (the subject turns itself), while Mawasu is transitive (it makes something else turn). For example, 'The wheel turns' is 車輪が回る (sharin ga mawaru), but 'I turned the wheel' is 車輪を回した (sharin o mawashita).
While 回る can imply a cyclical journey that comes back, the specific verb for 'to return home' is 帰る (kaeru). For returning objects, 返す (kaesu) is used.
It's pronounced 'ma-wa-ru', with each syllable spoken clearly and relatively evenly.
Common examples include the Earth, wheels, fans, clocks, tops, rumors, money, and people going around town.
Yes, it's used for abstract concepts like rumors spreading (噂が回る), money circulating (お金が回る), and time passing (一年回る).
'Guruguru mawaru' is an onomatopoeic expression that emphasizes rapid, continuous spinning or turning round and round.
Yes, it can imply traveling around various places, like '世界を回る' (sekai o mawaru - to travel the world) or '街を回る' (machi o mawaru - to go around town).
Opposites depend on context. For stopping rotation, it's 止まる (tomaru). For linear movement, it's 進む (susumu).
Test Yourself
The Earth ______ around the sun.
'Mawaru' means to go around or revolve, which fits the Earth's movement.
Which sentence correctly uses 'mawaru'?
'Mawaru' is used for things that spread or circulate, like rumors.
The verb 'mawaru' can be used to describe a car driving in a straight line.
'Mawaru' describes circular motion, not linear movement. For straight movement, 'susumu' (to advance) or 'hashiru' (to run) would be used.
Word
Meaning
These pairs match common phrases and their meanings using 'mawaru'.
The correct sentence is '地球が太陽の周りを回る' (Chikyū ga taiyō no mawari o mawaru - The Earth revolves around the sun).
その噂はあっという間に町中に ______。
'Mawatta' (past tense of mawaru) fits the context of a rumor spreading quickly throughout the town.
Which is the best translation for 'お金が回る' in an economic context?
'Mawaru' in the context of money refers to its circulation or flow within the economy.
彼は新しいプロジェクトのために、関係部署を ______ 承認を得た。
The te-form 'mawatte' connects the action of visiting departments to obtaining approval, implying a process of going around to different places.
グローバル化が進む現代社会において、情報は光速で ______ システムが不可欠である。
'Mawaru' fits the context of information circulating rapidly in a globalized society, implying fast movement and distribution.
The idiom '目が回る' (me ga mawaru) can be used to describe the physical rotation of a planet.
'Me ga mawaru' is an idiom for feeling dizzy or being extremely busy. Physical rotation of planets uses 'mawaru' or 'kouten suru' (revolve).
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Summary
Mastering 'mawaru' unlocks descriptions of everything from planetary orbits to the daily hustle!
- 回る (mawaru) means to turn, rotate, or go around.
- It's an intransitive verb, focusing on the subject's own motion.
- Used for physical rotation, circulation (rumors, money), and travel.
- Common in idioms like 'me ga mawaru' (dizzy/busy).
Visualize the Spin!
When you see 回る, immediately picture something spinning – a top, a wheel, or even yourself! This strong visual link will help you recall the meaning.
Intransitive is Key!
Remember, 回る is intransitive. The subject itself is doing the turning. If you want to say 'I turned the wheel', use the transitive verb 回す (mawasu).
The Cycle of Life
In Japanese culture, cycles are important. Think of seasons, years, and even the flow of fortune. 回る captures this sense of natural progression and circulation.
Te-Form for Sequences
When describing a journey involving multiple stops, use the te-form: 街を回って、店に行った (Machi o mawatte, mise ni itta - I went around town and then went to the store).
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More general words
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
ごろ
A2About, approximately (time).
うえ
A2At a higher position than.
絶対
B1Absolutely; definitely; never.
絶対に
B1Absolutely; definitely.
