Translation and Meaning of: 巻 - maki

The Japanese word 「巻」 (maki) has a rich etymology and a diverse set of meanings. Derived from the verb 「巻く」（maku）which means "to roll" or "to wrap," the term is directly connected to various practices and objects in Japanese daily life. Part of the writing system with kanji, 「巻」 not only conveys the idea of something physically rolled up but can also refer to volumes of books or rolls of film. This multifaceted use is a testament to how the Japanese language approaches concepts from multiple perspectives.

The character "巻" and its variations are often found in contexts related to food, especially in the case of the popular "巻き寿司" (makizushi), more commonly known internationally as rolled sushi. In this sense, the term perfectly reflects the action of rolling rice and other ingredients around a sheet of seaweed, creating an iconic dish. Besides gastronomy, "巻" is also found in literature, where it refers to volumes of written works, as in "巻物" (makimono), representing scrolls or ancient books.

The origin of the word 「巻」 is rooted in the Chinese ideogram, where it acquired meaning over time, coming to represent both actions and objects related to rolled or grouped forms. The presence of 「糸」（ito）, which means "thread" or "line," as part of the kanji radical, points to the ancient practice of rolling threads or rolls, a fundamental component in many aspects of domestic and professional life in traditional Japan. The integration of 「巻」 into the Japanese language and culture highlights the adaptability and evolution of kanji, illustrating how language can reflect cultural aspects through specific .

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 巻き (maki) - 巻き寿司 (maki-zushi)
• 巻物 (makimono) - Rolled paper or parchment
• 縮み (chizami) - Contraction
• 縮む (chizumu) - Shrink
• 回る (mawaru) - Girar
• 回転する (kaiten suru) - Rotate
• 転がる (korogaru) - Involuntary rolling
• 転がす (korogasu) - Make something roll
• 綴る (tsuzuru) - Compile or (write)
• 綴り (tsuzuri) - Spelling
• 綴り書き (tsuzuri gaki) - Spelling
• 書き綴る (kaki tsuzuru) - Write continuously
• まき (maki) - Wrap or tie
• まく (maku) - Wrap or cover
• まきずし (makizushi) - Rolled rice (sushi)
• うずまく (uzumaku) - to roll in a spiral
• うねる (uneru) - To be wavy or to wave
• うねり (uneri) - Wave or undulation
• うねり巻く (uneri maku) - Ride a wave
• うねり巻き (uneri maki) - Shape coiled into a wave