N3Relationships and Topics

名詞 + をめぐって

Q: Is "Using it for personal thoughts where 〜について is appropriate" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 〜について for personal thoughts". When expressing personal thoughts or opinions, it is more common to use the pattern 〜について, which implies a more subjective or personal tone.

Q: Is "Confusing the particle (using に instead of を)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use を instead of に". The particle を is used to indicate that the noun is the object of the verb, while に is used to indicate location or direction. In this pattern, を is used to indicate that the noun is the object of the verb "めぐる".

Q: Is "Misusing for general topics that don't involve conflict or debate" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use a more general pattern, such as 〜について". This pattern is specifically used to express conflict or debate, so it should not be used for general topics that don't involve disagreement or discussion.

concerning / surrounding (a dispute or discussion)

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "名詞 + をめぐって" is used to express that multiple people or parties are in disagreement, discussion, or competition over a specific topic. It implies a sense of conflict or debate, and is often used in situations where opinions or interests are divided. This pattern is commonly used in news articles, social media, and everyday conversations to discuss topics that are being debated or argued about.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Present tense form of the verb "めぐる"	N + をめぐる + N	新しいダムの建設について、住民が反対している
Present tense form of the verb "めぐる"	N + をめぐって	そのアイドルの結婚について、ネットで議論が起きている
Present tense form of the verb "めぐる"	N + をめぐる + N	一人の女性が二人の男性と争っている

Examples

Example Sentences

新しいダムの建設について、住民が反対している。

Atarashii damu no kensetsu ni tsuite, jumin ga hanpai shite iru.

There is a dispute among residents about the construction of the new dam.

新しいダムの建設 (new dam construction) について (about the new dam construction) 住民が (residents) 反対している (are opposing)

そのアイドルの結婚について、ネットで議論が起きている。

Sono aidoru no kekkon ni tsuite, netto de giron ga okite iru.

There is a debate on the internet about the marriage of that idol.

そのアイドルの結婚 (marriage of that idol) について (about the marriage of that idol) ネットで (on the internet) 議論が (a debate) 起きている (is happening)

一人の女性が二人の男性と争っている。

Hitori no josei ga futari no dansei to arasoi shite iru.

One woman is in conflict with two men.

一人の女性 (one woman) が (is) 二人の男性と (with two men) 争っている (is in conflict)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to express a sense of conflict or debate, and is often used in situations where opinions or interests are divided. It is commonly used in news articles, social media, and everyday conversations to discuss topics that are being debated or argued about. In formal writing, it is often used to express a more neutral or objective tone.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using it for personal thoughts where 〜について is appropriate

Use 〜について for personal thoughts

When expressing personal thoughts or opinions, it is more common to use the pattern 〜について, which implies a more subjective or personal tone.

Confusing the particle (using に instead of を)

Use を instead of に

The particle を is used to indicate that the noun is the object of the verb, while に is used to indicate location or direction. In this pattern, を is used to indicate that the noun is the object of the verb "めぐる".

Misusing for general topics that don't involve conflict or debate

Use a more general pattern, such as 〜について

This pattern is specifically used to express conflict or debate, so it should not be used for general topics that don't involve disagreement or discussion.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

In the JLPT N3 exam, this pattern is often tested in reading comprehension questions, where you may be asked to identify the correct usage of the pattern in a given sentence. Pay close attention to the context and the tone of the sentence to determine whether the pattern is used correctly.

Related Patterns

名詞 + についてThis pattern is often used to express personal thoughts or opinions, whereas 名詞 + をめぐって is used to express conflict or debate.名詞 + に関してThis pattern is often used to express a more general or neutral tone, whereas 名詞 + をめぐって is used to express conflict or debate.名詞 + に対してThis pattern is often used to express a more formal or objective tone, whereas 名詞 + をめぐって is used to express conflict or debate.

In context