日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

～をめぐって

~o megutte

concerning, surrounding

When to use it

Use ～をめぐって when several parties are arguing, negotiating, or forming opinions about a single issue — it frames that issue as the focal point of contention or discussion. It is a written/formal alternative to ～について, and it strongly implies multiple viewpoints clashing, so it does not fit simple one-way actions like "I asked about the schedule." Common in news copy, minutes, reports, and legal or M&A documents.

Formation

  • Noun + をめぐって — the standard adverbial form: 価格をめぐって対立する
  • Noun + をめぐり — the same meaning in a more compressed, written register (reports, headlines, email)
  • Noun + をめぐる + Noun — attributive form modifying a following noun: 買収をめぐる交渉
  • Verbs / i-adjectives / na-adjectives cannot attach directly; nominalize first (～かどうかをめぐって, ～の是非をめぐって)
  • Typically followed by verbs of dispute, discussion, or reaction: 対立する・議論する・紛糾する・訴訟になる・意見が分かれる

Examples

  • Debate grew heated over the introduction of the new system.

  • The two companies' positions are at odds over the contract terms.

  • Negotiations over the acquisition price are proving difficult.

  • Opinions within the company split over where responsibility lay.

  • We'll hold a board meeting tomorrow on whether to withdraw.