around
gb/ɚˈaʊnd/ us/ɚˈaʊnd/
A2
Kiingereza
~ 500
Maana
maana 0
adverb
A2
relation
1
approximately or roughly
Used to talk about something that is not exact but close to the real number, time, or place.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[verb] around [number/place/time]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'around' with 'across' when talking about location.
Visawe
about (Interchangeable in most contexts when giving approximate numbers or times.)
Vinyume
exactly (Indicates a precise number or time, the opposite of approximate.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
around 5 o'clock
|around the corner
|around 20 people
Mada
daily life
|measurement
|time
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- There were around 50 people at the party.
- The store is just around the corner.
- I’ll meet you around noon.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- There are around ten chairs in the room.
- The park is around here.
- We will meet around 3 p.m.
preposition
A2
relation
2
on all sides of
In a position surrounding someone or something.
Muundo wa matumizi:
around [someone/something]
Kosa la kawaida:
Some learners use 'in' instead of 'around' when talking about being on all sides of something.
Visawe
surrounding (More formal and less conversational than 'around'.)
Vinyume
through (Indicates movement from one side to the other rather than encircling.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
around the table
|around the fire
|around the city
Mada
spatial
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- We sat around the table for dinner.
- A fence runs around the garden.
- The children gathered around their teacher.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- We sit around the table.
- There is a wall around the house.
- People stand around the fire.
adverb
A2
relation
3
in different places nearby
In many places in an area.
Visawe
about ('About' can sometimes replace 'around' in this sense, but 'around' is more common for physical movement in an area.)
Vinyume
together (Indicates being in one place rather than spread out.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
look around
|travel around
|spread around
Mada
spatial
|space
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- There are many cafes around.
- I looked around but couldn’t find my keys.
- He travels around visiting friends.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- There are shops around.
- I walk around in the park.
- We look around for a good place.
adverb
A2
action
4
in a circular direction or facing another way
To move your body or head to face another way.
Visawe
about ('About' in 'turn about' is more formal or old-fashioned.)
Vinyume
forward (Indicates continuing in the same direction instead of turning.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
turn around
|look around quickly
Mada
movement
|space
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- She turned around to see who called her name.
- He looked around when he heard the noise.
- I spun around quickly.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I turn around to see you.
- He looks around when he hears a sound.
- She turns around to talk to me.
adverb
B1
state
5
present in existence or nearby
Here now or existing in this time.
Visawe
present ('Present' is more formal and specific to attendance or existence.)
Vinyume
absent (Not present or available.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
still around
|been around for years
Mada
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- She’s been around for a long time in this industry.
- There aren’t many good bookstores around anymore.
- Is John around today?
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- He is not around today.
- She has been around for many years.
- Are you around now?
Sarufi
Semi
come around
1/kˈʌm ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
change opinion, recover, or visit casually
To change your mind, wake up after being unconscious, or visit someone’s place.
Mifano
- He’ll come around once he hears the full story.
- She came around after fainting.
- Why don’t you come around later?
get around to [something]
1/ɡˈɛt ɚˈaʊnd tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
finally do something after delay
To finally do something you have been meaning to do for a while.
Mifano
- I still haven’t gotten around to fixing the car.
- She finally got around to replying to my email.
around the corner
1/ɚˈaʊnd ðə kˈɔɹnɚ/
idiom
Very close in space or time
Very close to happening or very close to you in distance.
Mifano
- My house is just around the corner.
- With summer around the corner, it's time to plan vacations.
around the corner
2/ɚˈaʊnd ðə kˈɔɹnɚ/
idiom
very near or soon to happen
Very close in space or time.
Mifano
- The bank is just around the corner.
- With summer around the corner, people are planning vacations.
fool around
1/fˈul ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
informal
behave in a playful, unserious way
To act in a silly or playful way and not do serious work or tasks.
Mifano
- The kids were fooling around instead of studying.
- Stop fooling around and help me clean the kitchen.
- They fooled around for a few months before breaking up.
- They spent the afternoon fooling around in the park instead of studying.
mess around
1/mˈɛs ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
informal
behave in a silly or idle way
To play and act silly and not do your real work or task.
Mifano
- Stop messing around and start working!
- Stop messing around and help me clean.
- They spent the afternoon just messing around in the park.
- We just messed around in the park all afternoon instead of studying.