Japanese symbol for “surround”
囲む
かこむ
Romaji: kakomu
to surround; to encircle; to enclose; to fence
In Japanese, surround is 囲む, read かこむ (kakomu).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v5m, vt to surround; to encircle; to enclose; to fence; to wall in
- v5m, vt to besiege; to lay siege to
- v5m, vt to play (go, shogi, etc.)
Written forms: 囲む. Readings: かこむ、かごむ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “surround”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 取り囲む | とりかこむ torikakomu | to surround; to crowd around; to gather around |
| 取り巻く | とりまく torimaku | to surround; to encircle; to enclose |
| 巡る | めぐる meguru | to surround; to circle; to enclose |
| 囲う | かこう kakou | to enclose; to surround; to encircle |
| サラウンド | サラウンド saraundo | surround (sound) |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 雰囲気 | ふんいき fun'iki | atmosphere; mood; ambience |
| 範囲 | はんい han'i | extent; scope; sphere |
| 周囲 | しゅうい shuui | surroundings; environs |
| 包囲 | ほうい houi | siege; encirclement; envelopment |
| 囲碁 | いご igo | go (board game) |
See also: Chinese symbol for “surround”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.