くるくるkurukuru

1. adverb (with と), suru verbwhirling; revolving; spinning; going round and round
   木の葉このはが庭にわでくるくる舞まっていた。↗

   The leaves whirled in the yard.
2. adverb (with と), suru verbcoiling around; winding around; rolling around
3. adverb (with と), suru verbworking tirelessly; working hard
4. adverb (with と), suru verbconstantly changing

• Synonym回転かいてんNeutralObjective word for rotation or turning, also the mind working or funds turning over; 「くるくる」 is a mimetic word for light, quick spinning round and round.
• SynonymスピンNeutralLoanword for the spin of a ball or in skating, as in 「スピンをかける」; 「くるくる」 is mimetic, picturing repeated spinning.
• SynonymめぐるWrittenVerb for circling around something or making a tour of places, as in 「池を巡る」; 「くるくる」 is a mimetic word for light, repeated spinning.
• Synonym回るまわるWrittenFor seasons or turns coming round again, or blood and money circulating, as in 「季節が巡る」; 「くるくる」 is about an object itself spinning briskly.
• Related転回てんかいWrittenWritten word for turning or changing direction, a U-turn; 「くるくる」 describes light, continuous spinning or coiling.
• Related舞うまうNeutralFor dancing or fluttering and swirling in the air, as in 「花びらが舞う」; 「くるくる」 depicts the manner of spinning and often modifies a verb.

Use the mimetic 「くるくる」 for light spinning round and round or coiling, as in 「くるくる回る」. For objective rotation choose 「回転」, for things coming round again 「巡る」, for dancing or fluttering through the air 「舞う」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 物ものが軽かるく何度なんども回転かいてんするさま。回転かいてんさせるさま。
2. 幾いく重えにも巻まきつくさま。巻まきつけるさま。
3. 渦状かじょうや螺旋状らせんじょうになっているさま。
4. 物事ものごとが定さだまらないさま。すぐに変かわるさま。
5. 目めが丸まるいさま。目めがよく動うごくさま。
6. 機敏きびんに立ち働たちはたらくさま。