周り

• Reading: まわり
• Romaji: mawari
• Kanji breakdown: 周 (shū/mawa) — circumference, around
• Pronunciation: /ma.wa.ɾi/

Meaning

Surroundings; around; vicinity; circumference. The area encircling something.

Used to describe the area surrounding a person, place, or object. Commonly appears in phrases like 周りの人 (mawari no hito, people around) and 周りを見る (mawari wo miru, to look around). Can also refer to circumference in mathematical or measurement contexts.

Examples

1. 学校の周りに木がたくさんあります。 There are many trees around the school.
2. 周りの人に聞いてみましょう。 Let's ask the people around us.
3. 池の周りを散歩しました。 I took a walk around the pond.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, directions, description

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 周 depicts an enclosure with rice fields inside, representing completeness in all directions — the concept of going around or surrounding.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal