回る

• Reading: まわる
• Romaji: mawaru
• Kanji breakdown: 回 (kai/mawa) — turn, revolve, go around
• Pronunciation: /ma.ɰa.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To go around; to revolve; to turn; to make rounds. Also used as 回す (to turn something, to rotate).

A Group 1 (godan) verb with a wide range of meanings. 回る (mawaru) is intransitive: things spin, people visit places in sequence, or situations come around. 回す (mawasu) is the transitive counterpart: to spin something, pass something around, or operate a dial. Both share the kanji 回 and are essential for describing circular motion and visiting multiple locations.

Examples

1. 地球は太陽の周りを回っている。 The Earth revolves around the sun.
2. 観光バスで市内を回りました。 We toured the city on a sightseeing bus.
3. このハンドルを右に回してください。 Please turn this handle to the right.

Usage Guide

Context: movement, travel, daily life, machinery

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 回 depicts a whirlpool or circular motion, representing the concept of going around repeatedly.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal