Translation guide
The English phrase 'get around' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: moving from place to place, traveling, circumventing obstacles, avoiding rules, and spreading of news or information.
To go to different places, often within a city or area, or to travel frequently.
General verb for moving from one place to another. Neutral and widely used.
東京では電車で移動するのが便利です。
In Tokyo, it's convenient to get around by train.
To walk around, often implying exploring or moving on foot. More casual.
観光客は街を歩き回っていた。
The tourists were getting around the city on foot.
To go out and about, often for leisure or without a fixed destination. Implies being out of the house.
彼は休日によく出歩く。
He often gets around on his days off.
To move around actively, often within a confined space. Can imply restlessness.
子供たちは部屋の中を動き回っている。
The children are getting around the room.
To find a way to avoid or overcome a difficulty, rule, or physical barrier.
To avoid or evade something, such as a problem, issue, or obstacle. Formal and direct.
彼らは問題を回避する方法を見つけた。
They found a way to get around the problem.
To take a detour or go around a physical obstacle. Can also be used metaphorically for bypassing rules.
渋滞を迂回する道を探そう。
Let's find a way to get around the traffic jam.
To slip through or sneak past something, often implying cleverness or stealth. Used for avoiding rules or guards.
To dodge or weave through, often used for evading multiple obstacles or difficulties. Somewhat literary.
To circulate or become widely known, especially gossip or news.
Intransitive verb meaning to spread or become widespread. Used for news, rumors, ideas.
その噂はすぐに広まった。
The rumor got around quickly.
To circulate or disseminate, often used for information or rumors. Slightly formal.
誤った情報が流布している。
False information is getting around.
To become widely known, often implying that something secret has leaked. Stronger than 広まる.
To spread by word of mouth. Specifically refers to informal person-to-person sharing.
その店の評判は口コミで広がった。
The shop's reputation got around by word of mouth.
To socialize with many people, often implying a wide circle of acquaintances or romantic partners.
Idiomatic phrase meaning to have a wide network of acquaintances. Literally 'face is wide'.
彼は顔が広いから、誰にでも紹介してくれる。
He gets around, so he can introduce you to anyone.
Describes a sociable or outgoing person. More about personality than actual network.
彼女はとても社交的で、よくパーティーに行く。
She's very sociable and gets around to a lot of parties.
A playboy or someone who sleeps around. Has a negative connotation. Use with caution.
Do not translate 'get around' word-for-word. The Japanese equivalent depends entirely on the intended meaning. Using 得る (eru) + 周り (mawari) would be nonsensical.
移動する is a neutral term for moving from place to place, often by vehicle. 歩き回る specifically means walking around, often with a sense of exploration or aimlessness.
Use 広まる for general spreading of information. Use 知れ渡る when emphasizing that something secret became widely known. Use 流布する in formal contexts like news reports.
彼は規則をすり抜けるのがうまい。
He's good at getting around the rules.
彼は数々の困難をかいくぐってきた。
He has gotten around numerous difficulties.
彼の秘密は町中に知れ渡った。
His secret got around the whole town.
This term implies promiscuity and can be offensive. Use only in very informal contexts.
彼は遊び人だという噂だ。
Rumor has it he gets around.