Japanese grammar
What does ～をめぐって mean? Japanese grammar N2
～をめぐって means revolving around…; concerning… (usually a dispute).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + をめぐって N + をめぐり（written style） |
| Romaji | womegutte |
| Meaning | revolving around…; concerning… (usually a dispute) |
Forming it
| Adverbial | 環境問題 → 環境問題をめぐって |
|---|
How to use it
States the CENTRAL issue that many people debate, contend over, or investigate around.
- 「Nをめぐって」 = revolving around N. The second clause is always an activity of MULTIPLE PEOPLE: 議論する・対立する・争う・うわさが流れる.
- Different from 「について」 (simply states a topic, usable by anyone): 「をめぐって」 implies conflict or lively discussion.
- Not used for the action of a single person: 「事件をめぐって調べた」 sounds odd if the subject is just oneself — use 「について」 there instead.
Examples
環境問題をめぐって、活発な議論が行われている。
Lively debate is taking place over environmental issues.
遺産の相続をめぐって、家族が対立している。
The family is in conflict over the inheritance.
Keep in mind
- The second clause is an activity of multiple people.
- A neutral topic uses 「について」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong日本文化をめぐって、レポートを書いた。
I wrote a report about Japanese culture.
Correct日本文化について、レポートを書いた。
To simply state the topic of a piece of writing, use 「について」.
-
Wrong環境問題にめぐって議論が続く。
Debate revolving around environmental issues is still ongoing.
Correct環境問題をめぐって議論が続く。
The required particle is 「を」.
Exam tips
- 「をめぐって」 = revolving around (with conflict/debate); for neutral cases use 「について」.