つるむ

つるむ
verb (godan, intransitive)
to hang out; to form a group; to pal around
1. to hang out; to form a group; to pal around
To spend time together in a group, often with slightly negative connotations suggesting idleness or questionable company.
(かれ)はいつも(おな)連中(れんちゅう)とつるんでいる。
He's always hanging out with the same crowd.
不良(ふりょう)グループとつるむな。
Don't hang out with that delinquent group.
学生時代(がくせいじだい)毎日(まいにち)友達(ともだち)とつるんでいた。
Back in my student days, I hung out with friends every day.

TRANSITIVITY:
Intransitive verb (自動詞(じどうし)). No pair verb.

USAGE:
つるむ often carries a slightly negative or neutral-casual nuance, suggesting people spending time together without much purpose. It can imply questionable company or idle hanging around, though it can also be used neutrally among friends.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 〜とつるむ (to hang out with ~)
  • つるんで(あそ)ぶ (to play around together)
  • いつもつるんでいる (always hanging out together)

REGISTER:
Casual/colloquial. Not used in formal contexts.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 一緒(いっしょ)にいる - to be together (neutral)
  • ()()う - to associate with/date (broader meaning)
  • つきあう - same as above (hiragana)
  • ()れる - to flock together (can be negative)