To Wrap
To Wrap Up, To Envelop
transitive verb, godan verb
Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means wrap so the verb vocab version is to wrap.
包む can be used in both literal and figurative ways, so it can be used for wrapping up gifts, enveloping someone in love, or even for fog or light enveloping an area. In cultural contexts, it also sometimes implies the act of giving a financial gift, since in Japan things are often wrapped nicely before being given — even stacks of bills.
You never wrap things once, you always wrap them twice. And then you double that. It's a two two (つつ) wrapping technique.
つつむ is the reading we want you to focus on, but it's good to know that 包む can be read as くるむ as well. くるむ is used when you wrap something up carefully and protectively, like a baby in a blanket. つつむ on the other hand, has broader use and is commonly used for wrapping things like presents.
こんな形の物、どうやって包むつもりなの？
How are you going to wrap something shaped like this?
店員さんがきれいに商品を包んでくれました。
The shop clerk wrapped the item neatly.
クリスマスの時のアルバイトで、プレゼントの包み方を学びました。
I learned how to wrap presents during Christmas time at my part-time job.
睡眠薬をビニールラップで包みました。
I wrapped up my sleeping pills with plastic wrap.