包む・裹む|つつむtsutsumu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
包む包む（つつむ） is the most common and standard written form, and is the form to use when writing this verb.
裹む裹む（つつむ） is a rarely used written variant, so you will seldom encounter it and generally should not choose it when writing.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto wrap up; to pack; to bundle; to do up
- godan verb, transitive verbto cover; to envelop; to shroud; to engulfusu. in the passive
- godan verb, transitive verbto conceal (a feeling); to hide
- godan verb, transitive verbto give (money in an envelope; as a wedding gift, funeral offering, etc.)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 包む（つつむ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 包みます（つつみます） |
| Negative (nai) | 包まない（つつまない） |
| polite (masen) | 包みません（つつみません） |
| classical zu / nu | 包まず・包まぬ（つつまず・つつまぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 包んだ（つつんだ） |
| polite (mashita) | 包みました（つつみました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 包まなかった（つつまなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 包みませんでした（つつみませんでした） |
| Te form | 包んで（つつんで） |
| Potential | 包める（つつめる） |
| Passive | 包まれる（つつまれる） |
| Causative | 包ませる（つつませる） |
| Causative passive | 包ませられる・包まされる（つつませられる・つつまされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 包めば（つつめば） |
| tara | 包んだら（つつんだら） |
| Volitional | 包もう（つつもう） |
| polite (mashou) | 包みましょう（つつみましょう） |
| Imperative | 包め（つつめ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym包み込むつつみこむNeutralWraps something up entirely inside it; also said of an atmosphere enveloping, as in 「温かい雰囲気が包み込む」. Stresses complete enclosure more than 「包む」.
- Synonym梱包こんぽうWrittenA written/formal word for packing and crating goods, as in 「梱包材」; used mainly in shipping and logistics rather than everyday wrapping.
- Related覆うおおうNeutralCovers a whole surface over, as in 「雪が地面を覆う」 or 「手で顔を覆う」; the emphasis is on covering, not on wrapping something up.
- Related取り囲むとりかこむNeutralSurrounds closely on all sides, as in 「記者が取り囲む」; typically used of a crowd of people closing around someone or something.
- Related取り巻くとりまくWrittenWritten/formal: encircles or surrounds, and can also mean fawning on someone; common in set phrases like 「取り巻く環境」.
- Related巻くまくNeutralWinds or coils something around, as in 「包帯を巻く」; the image is winding in circles rather than enclosing a whole object.
- Related囲むかこむNeutralEncloses or surrounds, as in 「テーブルを囲む」; stresses being positioned around something rather than covering or wrapping it.
- Related囲うかこうNeutralFences something in or hides it away, as in 「庭を囲う」; the nuance is shutting it off and sheltering it from outside eyes.
- Related包囲ほういWrittenA written/formal noun for a siege or encirclement, whether by troops, police or a crowd, as in 「包囲網」.
- Related包み隠すつつみかくすNeutralConceals or keeps something secret, as in 「事実を包み隠す」; about hiding information rather than physically wrapping it.
- Related覆い隠すおおいかくすNeutralCovers something over to hide it, literally or figuratively, as in 「真相を覆い隠す」; about masking or concealing the truth.
- Related押し包むおしつつむNeutralEnvelops by pressing down hard over something, as in 「炎が押し包む」; a forceful, blanket-like covering.
- Related包めるくるめるNeutralLumps things together or includes them under one heading; also to talk someone round with glib words, as in 「言いくるめる」.
- AntonymひらくNeutralThe opposite of 「包む」: opens or unwraps what is closed or wrapped, as in 「包みを開く」.
- Antonym広げるひろげるNeutralAlso the opposite of 「包む」: spreads or unfolds something flat and open, as in 「地図を広げる」.
For wrapping things up, 「包む」 is the default. Choose 「包み込む」 when something is wrapped completely inside, 「梱包」 for packing goods for shipment, and 「覆う」 for covering a surface. For surrounding, use 「囲む」 or 「取り囲む」; for hiding facts, 「包み隠す」. To open or unwrap, use 「開く」 or 「広げる」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
