1.
to fold one's arms; to cross one's arms
To cross one's arms in front of one's chest, typically while thinking, waiting, or showing displeasure.
腕を組んで考える。
To think with one's arms folded.
彼は腕を組んで壁に寄りかかっていた。
He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
部長は腕を組んだまま、何も言わなかった。
The department head kept his arms folded and said nothing.
2.
to link arms; to walk arm in arm
To interlock arms with another person, typically while walking together.
二人は腕を組んで歩いた。
The two walked arm in arm.
母と腕を組んで買い物に行った。
I went shopping with my mother, walking arm in arm.
彼女は彼の腕を組んで、楽しそうに話していた。
She was linking arms with him and chatting happily.
An idiomatic expression with two distinct physical meanings depending on context.
Sense 1 (arms crossed): Implies deep thought, skepticism, displeasure, or a waiting posture. This is the more common usage in narrative and descriptive writing.
Sense 2 (linking arms): Used when two people interlock arms while walking together, showing closeness or affection.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 腕を組んで考える: to think with arms folded
- 腕を組んで待つ: to wait with arms crossed
- 腕を組んで歩く: to walk arm in arm
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 足を組む: to cross one's legs
- 手を組む: to clasp one's hands; to join forces