ぐるぐる
Meanings
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
round and round; in circles
Mimetic adverb for repeated circular motion, spinning, or moving around in circles. Often used with 回る, 回す, or 歩き回る, and may take と.
The electric fan is spinning round and round.
I walked around and around the same streets.
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
wrapped around; wound around
Used when something is wrapped or wound around repeatedly in layers or coils. Common with 巻く and 巻きつける.
I wrapped the scarf around my neck several times.
I wound the rope around the post.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉がぐるぐる回るfor something to spin or turn round and round
The clothes are spinning round and round inside the washing machine.
- 〈物〉を〈物〉にぐるぐる巻くto wind or wrap something tightly around something else
I wound the bandage tightly around my injured foot.
- 頭がぐるぐるするfor one's head to spin or feel dizzy
I thought about it so much that my head started spinning.
- 〈物〉に〈物〉をぐるぐる巻きつけるto coil or wrap something repeatedly around an object
I wrapped the string round and round the tree branch.
- 〈場所〉をぐるぐる歩き回るto walk around and around in a place
I got lost and ended up walking around and around the same place.