周囲

• Reading: しゅうい
• Romaji: shuui
• Kanji breakdown: 周 (shuu) — circumference, around; 囲 (i) — surround, enclose
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯː.i/

Meaning

Surroundings; circumference; environs. The area or people around something or someone.

A noun with two main uses: physically, it refers to the area surrounding a place or the circumference of an object; socially, it refers to the people around someone (similar to 周りの人). Common in both written and spoken Japanese. Often appears with の to modify nouns (周囲の人, 周囲の環境).

Examples

1. 周囲の人に迷惑をかけないようにしよう。 Let's try not to cause trouble for the people around us.
2. この湖の周囲は約十キロある。 The circumference of this lake is about ten kilometers.
3. 周囲が暗くなってきたから帰ろう。 It's getting dark around here, so let's head back.

Usage Guide

Context: daily conversation, writing, descriptions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 周 (circumference, around) and 囲 (surround, enclose). Both kanji convey the sense of encircling or being around something.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal