3
囲
Surround, Enclose
かこ.む, かこ.い
JLPT N2
Interesting Fact
The traditional Japanese board game 囲碁 (Igo) gets its name from this kanji because players surround their opponent's stones to capture territory.
Memory Trick
Imagine building a fence around a field to protect it. The outer box completely surrounds everything inside, helping you remember 囲 means 'to surround.'
Readings
Onyomi: イ
Kunyomi: かこ.む, かこ.い
Example Words
囲む
かこむ (kakomu)
To surround
囲碁
いご (igo)
The game Go
範囲
はんい (hani)
Range
包囲
ほうい (houi)
Encirclement
Example Sentence
子どもたち が 先生 を 囲みました。
こどもたち が せんせい を かこみました。
kodomotachi ga sensei o kakomimashita
The children surrounded the teacher.