回り
Meanings
Refers to how something turns or rotates, especially in phrases like 回りがいい or 回りが悪い.
See also: 周り
This motor does not turn well.
making the rounds; going around to visit
Used for going from place to place for visits, work, greetings, inspections, or errands; common in compounds such as 挨拶回り and 取引先回り.
I went out to make New Year courtesy calls.
Often used for the way fire, smoke, disease, or an influence spreads through an area or group.
The wind was strong, and the fire spread quickly.
Used after a place, direction, or route to indicate going by way of that route, as in 北回り or 名古屋回り.
I headed to Osaka via Nagoya.
size; one size difference
Counter-like use for relative size, usually in expressions such as 一回り大きい and 二回り小さい.
This box is one size larger than the previous one.
12-year period; 12-year age difference
In age expressions, 一回り means one full cycle of the zodiac, i.e. twelve years; 二回り is twenty-four years.
My sister and I are twelve years apart.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉の回りがいい(of a machine, wheel, etc.) to turn/spin smoothly
This fan spins smoothly.
- 〈場所〉回りをするto make the rounds of (clients, houses, etc.)
My job is to make rounds visiting clients.
- 〈物〉の回りが早い(of fire, smoke, disease, etc.) to spread quickly
The fire spread so fast that escaping was difficult.
- 〈場所〉回りで行くto go via (a place or route)
I went to Tokyo via the northern route.
- 一回り〈形容詞〉one size bigger/smaller
This shirt is one size bigger.
- 一回り年上twelve years older
He is twelve years older than me.
Expressions· 7
- 身の回りpersonal belongings; one's vicinity; daily life; everyday necessities
- 気回り無いinconsiderate; thoughtless; heedless
- 身の回り品personal belongings; personal effects
- 小回りが利くhave a tight turning radius; maneuverable in small spaces · adaptable; quick to respond to changing situations
- 一回りも二回りもone or two sizes (bigger, etc.); one or two levels (better, more mature, etc.)
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- 身の回りの世話をするtake personal care of someone; wait on someone hand and foot
- 大男総身に知恵が回り兼ねbig heads have little wit