周(まわ)り

周(まわ)り refers to the area surrounding a person, place, or thing. One of the most common spatial words in everyday Japanese.

Common patterns

• 〜の周(まわ)り: around ~
• 周(まわ)りを見(み)る: to look around
• 周(まわ)りの人(ひと): people around (oneself)
• 周(まわ)りに気(き)を使(つか)う: to be considerate of those around you

Writing

Also written as 回(まわ)り. Both are common, but 周(まわ)り is more standard for "surroundings."

Similar words

• 周囲(しゅうい): surroundings (more formal/written)
• 辺(あた)り: vicinity, neighborhood
• 近(ちか)く: nearby