Translation guide
To wrap or wind something around an object, or to curl up around something. In Japanese, the expression depends on what is coiling and how.
To wind a rope, wire, vine, snake, etc., around something else.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to coil around' or 'to twine around'. Used for things like vines, snakes, or cords that wrap themselves around something.
ツタが木に巻き付いている。
The ivy is coiled around the tree.
ヘビが枝に巻き付いた。
The snake coiled around the branch.
Transitive verb meaning 'to wind something around'. Used when a person wraps a rope, tape, etc., around an object.
彼はロープを柱に巻き付けた。
He coiled the rope around the post.
コードを手に巻き付けて片付けた。
I coiled the cord around my hand and put it away.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to twine around' or 'to cling to', often with a nuance of entanglement or difficulty to remove.
釣り糸が足に絡み付いた。
The fishing line coiled around my leg.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'to wind around and around'. Emphasizes repeated coiling.
包帯を腕にぐるぐる巻いた。
I wound the bandage around my arm.
To wrap one's body, arms, or legs around something, often for comfort or protection.
Also used for people or animals wrapping themselves around something.
猫が私の足に巻き付いて離れない。
The cat coiled around my leg and won't let go.
Means 'to cling to' or 'to hold on tightly', often with arms and legs wrapped around.
Means 'to embrace tightly', often with arms wrapped around someone.
To arrange something into a coiled shape, like a rope or hose.
Specifically means 'to coil up' like a snake or a rope. Often used for snakes coiling themselves.
ヘビがとぐろを巻いている。
The snake is coiled up.
ロープをとぐろを巻くように置いた。
I laid the rope in a coil.
General verb for 'to wind' or 'to coil'. Can be used for coiling a rope, hose, etc.
巻き付く is intransitive (something coils itself around), while 巻き付ける is transitive (someone coils something around). Use 巻き付く for natural growth or animal movement, and 巻き付ける for deliberate human action.
ツタがフェンスに巻き付く。
The ivy coils around the fence.
彼はワイヤーをポールに巻き付ける。
He coils the wire around the pole.
子供が母親にしがみついた。
The child clung to his mother, coiling his arms around her.
彼女は彼に抱きついた。
She threw her arms around him.
Please coil up the hose and put it away.