JLPT N1・N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “つつむ” and “くるむ”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “つつむ” and “くるむ”
2. つつむ
3. くるむ
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: Does ”包む” have a different meaning when read as ”つつむ” and when read as ”くるむ”?
A: Both mean “to put something inside and cover it from the outside.”
つつむ (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
①To put something inside paper, cloth, etc., and cover it.
②(Mainly in passive form) A state or situation of being surrounded by something.
③To keep feelings or emotions hidden in one’s heart.
④The state of an atmosphere, air, or emotions filling a space.
[Examples]
プレゼントをきれいな包装紙で包みました。（①）
I wrapped the present in beautiful wrapping paper.
霧に包まれて何も見えなくなってしまいました。（②）
I was enveloped in fog and could no longer see anything.
悲しみを心に包んで、友人を見送りました。（③）
I sent off my friend while keeping my sadness hidden in my heart.
会場はファンの熱気に包まれています。（④）
The hall is filled with the enthusiasm of the fans.
There are four main usages:
① To cover something completely
This gives the image of wrapping with paper or cloth so that the inside cannot be seen.
[Examples]
風呂敷で箱を包みました。
I wrapped the box with a furoshiki, a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth.
友達にあげるプレゼントを白い包装紙で包みました。
I wrapped the present for my friend in white wrapping paper.
② To be surrounded by something
It is mainly used in the passive form to describe a situation where something is enclosed from the outside.
[Examples]
知らないうちに霧に包まれて、前が見えなくなってしまいました。
Before I knew it, I was wrapped in fog and could no longer see ahead.
木造の家はたちまち激しい炎に包まれました。
The wooden house was quickly wrapped in fierce flames.
小道を歩いていると、いつの間にか雑木林に包まれていました。
As I walked along the path, before I realized it, I was surrounded by a grove of trees.
③ To hide emotions
This expresses keeping emotions or true feelings inside one’s heart without showing them to others. It is often a poetic and figurative expression.
[Examples]
彼は怒りを胸に包んで、何も言わずにその場を立ち去りました。
He held his anger in his heart and left the place without saying anything.
彼は過去の苦しみを胸に包んで、決して人に語ろうとはしませんでした。
He kept the pain of his past hidden in his heart and never spoke of it to anyone.
ずっと誰にも言えなかった不安や迷いを、親友に包み隠さず話しました。
I told my best friend about the worries and doubts I had never been able to share with anyone, without hiding them anymore.
④ To be filled with an atmosphere
It is mainly used in the passive form to express that a space is filled with a certain atmosphere or emotion.
[Examples]
部屋は花の香りで包まれていました。
The room was filled with the fragrance of flowers.
試験会場は緊張感に包まれていました。
The examination hall was filled with tension.
結婚式は幸せとあたたかな笑顔で包まれていました。
The wedding was filled with happiness and warm smiles.
くるむ (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
To gently cover a person or object by wrapping it with soft material or in a wrapping manner.
[Examples]
赤ちゃんを毛布で包んで寝かせました。
I wrapped the baby in a blanket and put him to sleep.
おにぎりをラップで包みました。
I wrapped the rice ball in plastic wrap.
”くるむ” is used when gently covering a person or object with a soft cloth, such as a towel or blanket. It does not necessarily mean covering everything completely; partial wrapping is also fine. Compared to ”つつむ,” it gives a softer and more intimate nuance.
[Examples]
ワインボトルを布で簡単に包みました。
I simply wrapped the wine bottle in a cloth.
手から血が出たので、ハンカチで包みました。
I wrapped my hand with a handkerchief because it was bleeding.
お風呂から出てきた子供をタオルで包みました。
I wrapped the child in a towel after the bath.
Let’s Compare
Which is more appropriate in the following cases?
[Example]
①プレゼントなので、丁寧につつんでください。
②プレゼントなので、丁寧にくるんでください。
The correct answer is ①.
”つつむ” is used when something is covered completely so that the inside cannot be seen. Here, since the request is “carefully,” it suggests wrapping properly with wrapping paper, so ”つつむ” is correct.
Now, how about this case?
[Example]
①子供を毛布でつつむとすぐ寝てしまいました。
②子供を毛布でくるむとすぐ寝てしまいました。
The correct answer is ②.
”くるむ” does not necessarily mean to cover completely. It is used when gently wrapping with something soft, like cloth. Since the image here is lightly wrapping the child with a blanket, ”くるむ” sounds natural.
Summary
[つつむ]
Expresses “covering a person or object completely.”
- ①To put something inside paper, cloth, etc., and cover it.
- ②(Mainly in passive form) To be surrounded or enclosed by something.
- ③[Figurative] To keep feelings or emotions hidden in one’s heart.
- ④[Figurative] To describe an atmosphere, air, or emotions filling and gently surrounding a space.
[くるむ]
- Expresses “covering a person or object gently, as if wrapping with soft material.”
- It does not need to cover everything completely and can also be used for partial wrapping.
Similer Articles
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