巻き込む

• Reading: まきこむ
• Romaji: makikomu
• Kanji breakdown: 巻 (kan/maki) — roll, wind; 込 (ko) — go in, be included
• Pronunciation: /ma.ki.ko.mɯ/

Meaning

To involve; to drag in; to entangle; to draw someone or something into a situation, often against their will.

A Group 1 (godan) verb from 巻き (from 巻く, to wind) and 込む (to go into, to be included). The compound evokes the image of something being caught up and swept along in a swirling motion. It is used for accidents drawing in bystanders, arguments embroiling uninvolved parties, or natural disasters engulfing surroundings. The passive form 巻き込まれる (to get drawn in) is especially common.

Examples

1. 無関係な人まで巻き込む形で騒動が広がっていった。 The commotion spread, dragging in even people who had nothing to do with it.
2. 竜巻が近隣の建物を巻き込んで甚大な被害をもたらした。 The tornado engulfed nearby buildings and caused catastrophic damage.
3. 政治スキャンダルに家族まで巻き込まれた議員は辞職を余儀なくされた。 The politician whose family got dragged into the political scandal was forced to resign.

Usage Guide

Context: accidents, disputes, natural disasters, politics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 巻き (from 巻く — to wind, wrap) and 込む (to go deep into, to be included). The image of winding something tightly inward conveys the sense of drawing people or objects into a situation from which they cannot easily escape.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes