Japanese grammar
What does ～ぐるみ mean? Japanese grammar N1
～ぐるみ means together with all…; the entire….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + ぐるみ |
| Romaji | gurumi |
| Meaning | together with all…; the entire… |
Forming it
| Noun (group) | 家族 + ぐるみ |
|---|---|
| Noun (organization) | 会社 + ぐるみ |
How to use it
States that an ENTIRE group/whole is involved or swept up together. Attaches to a noun.
- 「～ぐるみ」 = the whole group/entity does something or is involved together: 「家族ぐるみ」 (the whole family), 「町ぐるみ」 (the whole town), 「会社ぐるみ」 (the whole company).
- The set of usable nouns is VERY LIMITED: 家族・町・地域・会社・組織・身 (身ぐるみ = stripped of everything on one's person).
- When talking about wrongdoing, it implies "organized, with the whole group involved" (会社ぐるみの不正).
Examples
家族ぐるみで長年付き合っている。
Our two families have been close for many years.
これは会社ぐるみの不正だと報じられた。
It was reported as company-wide misconduct.
Keep in mind
- Attaches directly to a noun — do not add 「の」.
- Used only with a limited set of familiar group nouns.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong学生ぐるみで勉強した。
The whole class tackled it together.
Correctクラスぐるみで取り組んだ。
「ぐるみ」 only combines with a set of familiar GROUP nouns (家族・町・会社・クラス); it is not combined freely.
-
Wrong家族のぐるみで旅行した。
The whole family traveled together.
Correct家族ぐるみで旅行した。
「ぐるみ」 attaches DIRECTLY to the noun — do not insert 「の」.
Exam tips
- 「ぐるみ」 = the whole group together (家族/町/会社ぐるみ); attaches directly to a noun.