noun
Refers to the slender, creeping or climbing stem of plants like morning glories, cucumbers, or ivy. Often used in gardening and botanical contexts.
朝顔のつるが伸びてきた。
The morning glory vine has started to grow.
つるを支柱に巻きつける。
I wind the vine around the support.
noun
temple arm; earpiece (of glasses)
Specifically the part of a pair of glasses that extends from the frame over the ear. Common in everyday conversation about eyewear.
メガネのつるが曲がってしまった。
The temple arm of my glasses got bent.
このつるは耳に当たる部分が柔らかい。
The part of this earpiece that touches the ear is soft.
noun
connections; contacts; influence
Metaphorical extension from the vine meaning: refers to personal connections or a network of influence, often in business or social contexts. Can imply a useful contact or a financial backer.
彼は政界につるがある。
He has connections in the political world.
いい仕事を見つけるにはつるがものを言う。
Connections are what count when finding a good job.
The origin is uncertain, but the word likely developed from the image of a slender, flexible thing that extends or connects. The glasses sense comes from the resemblance to a vine, and the connections sense is a metaphorical extension.