(まつ)わる

まつわる
verb (godan)
to be connected to, to be related to
1. to be connected to, to be related to, to be associated with
Describes things that are linked or connected to a topic, person, or place — often stories, legends, or memories.
この神社(じんじゃ)(まつ)わる伝説(でんせつ)がある。
There is a legend associated with this shrine.
(さくら)(まつ)わるエピソードを(あつ)めた。
I collected stories related to cherry blossoms.
この地域(ちいき)には戦国時代(せんごくじだい)(まつ)わる史跡(しせき)数多(かずおお)(のこ)っている。
Many historical sites related to the Warring States period remain in this area.
2. to cling to, to twine around
For something to physically wrap around or cling to something else.
ツタが(かべ)(まつ)わっている。
Ivy is clinging to the wall.
(いと)(あし)(まつ)わりついた。
Thread tangled around my leg.
子犬(こいぬ)足元(あしもと)(まつ)わりついてくる。
The puppy keeps clinging around my feet.

CONJUGATION (godan-ru):

  • Negative: (まつ)わらない
  • Te-form: (まつ)わって
  • Past: (まつ)わった
  • Potential: (まつ)われる

TRANSITIVITY:
Intransitive. Takes に for the thing being clung to or associated with.

ORTHOGRAPHY:
The kanji (まつ) is relatively complex. This word is often written in hiragana as まつわる.

USAGE:
Sense 1 is more common in modern usage, appearing frequently in the pattern 〜に(まつ)わる + noun (stories/memories/legends associated with ~). Sense 2 often appears as (まつ)わりつく (to cling to, to twine around).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 〜に(まつ)わる(はなし): stories related to ~
  • 〜に(まつ)わる伝説(でんせつ): legends associated with ~
  • (まつ)わりつく: to cling to, to twine around