Meaning

Primary

Surroundings

Alternatives

Perimeter, Circumference

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

The circumference that surrounds you is your surroundings.

周囲 commonly refers to your surroundings, whether it's the physical environment around you or your social circles. It can also refer to the perimeter of something, like the circumference of a lake or an object, though this usage is more technical and less common in everyday conversation.

Reading

しゅうい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 周囲を見わたす

    to look across one's surroundings

    周囲を見回す

    to look around one's surroundings

    周囲を囲む

    to enclose the surrounding area

Context Sentences

あの女性の周囲にはいつもヤクザ風の男がいる。

That lady always has yakuza-type guys hanging around her.

コウイチは周囲の目を気にしながら黒いビルに入っていきました。

Wary of the prying eyes of those around him, Koichi entered the black building.

周囲の人のこと、もうちょっと考えた方がいいんじゃない?

Maybe you should consider the people around you a little more?

この島は、周囲6キロの小さな島です。

This is a small island with a circumference of six km.

Kanji Composition