をめぐって・めぐる (womegutte meguru)

Meaning & usage

をめぐって expresses that discussion, disagreement, or conflict centers on a topic, often translated as concerning or over. It follows a noun, as in 計画をめぐって, and can also follow a question clause with か, as in どうするかをめぐって. The form をめぐって modifies a verb, while をめぐる modifies a following noun and を巡り is a formal written variant. It is formal and common in news and academic writing for serious public issues, so it sounds unnatural for trivial everyday arguments.

Example sentences 3

1. 先生せんせいたちはその問題もんだいをめぐって賛否さんぴが分わかれた。

   The teachers were divided on the issue.

2. 委員会はその計画をめぐって意見が分かれた。

   The committee was split over the project.

3. 候補者たちは減税法案をめぐって応酬しました。

   Candidates traded blows over the proposed tax cut.