纏まつわる

ま

つ

わ

る

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

coil around; twine around; follow about

Physical sense: something winds around or clings to something else; also used for a person persistently following someone.

ツタが木きにまつわっている。
Ivy is twining around the tree.
子こ犬いぬが私わたしの足あしにまつわって離はなれない

。

The puppy keeps following me around and won't leave my side.

2

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

be related to; concern; be associated with

Abstract sense: a matter is connected to or involves someone/something. Often used in the pattern ～にまつわる.

この土と地ちにまつわる古ふるい伝でん説せつがある。
There is an old legend associated with this land.
事じ件けんにまつわる様さま々ざまな噂うわさが流ながれた。
Various rumors concerning the incident spread.

Written forms

纏まつわるUsage4%
Standard kanji spelling.
まつわるUsage96%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing.
纏まつわる
irregular okurigana
Irregular okurigana usage; rarely seen.

Kanji

纏wear, wrap, tie

Similar words

絡からまる
絡まる also means 'to become entangled', but focuses on threads, strings, or abstract complications, while 纏わる emphasizes coiling around or being closely associated.
関かかわる
関わる means 'to be involved with' or 'to affect', often with a sense of personal involvement or consequence, whereas 纏わる is more about being connected or attached in a narrative or physical sense.

Etymology

The kanji 纏 means 'to wrap' or 'to coil'. The verb まつわる is a native Japanese word, likely related to まつう (to wrap around). The exact derivation is uncertain.