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くるむ Japanese meaning | Kotomora

くるむ

く

る

む

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-mu), transitive verb

wrap up; roll up; tuck in

usually written using kana alone

Used for wrapping something completely, often in cloth or paper, or tucking someone in bed. Implies enveloping or covering snugly.

赤あかちゃんを毛もう布ふでくるんだ。
I wrapped the baby in a blanket.

おにぎりを海の苔りでくるむ。

I wrap the rice ball in seaweed.

Written forms

くるむUsage100%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 包む is also used but can be confused with つつむ.
包くるむ
Kanji spelling; less common than kana and may be read as つつむ.

Kanji

包wrap, pack up, cover

Similar words

包つつむ
つつむ is the more common verb for wrapping, covering, or enveloping in general. くるむ often implies a tighter, more complete wrapping or rolling up, and is frequently used for wrapping things in cloth or tucking in.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. Possibly related to くる (to wind, to reel) or くるまる (to be wrapped up).