Translation guide
To stay in a place without a clear purpose, often waiting or idling. Japanese expressions vary by nuance: waiting, loitering, spending time casually, or being in a place.
To remain in a location, usually waiting for someone or something, without doing much.
Literally 'waiting'. Use when the hanging around is specifically to wait for someone or something.
駅の前で友達を待っている。
I'm hanging around in front of the station waiting for a friend.
Hanging around idly, strolling or loitering without a clear purpose. Casual.
公園でぶらぶらしていた。
I was hanging around in the park.
Hanging around restlessly, often implying aimless wandering or loitering. Can have a slightly negative nuance.
変な人が家の前をうろうろしている。
A strange person is hanging around in front of the house.
To be around that area. Used when someone is just present in a general location.
彼はいつもその辺にいるよ。
He's always hanging around there.
To be in a place for leisure, without a specific activity, often with friends.
Literally 'playing', but used for hanging out casually with friends. Very common.
放課後、友達と公園で遊んでいた。
After school, I was hanging around in the park with friends.
Lounging around lazily, killing time. Casual.
家でだらだらして過ごした。
I hung around at home doing nothing.
To hang around in a group, often loitering. Slightly negative or slangy.
若者がコンビニの前にたむろしている。
Young people are hanging around in front of the convenience store.
To remain in a place after an event or when you should leave.
To stay behind, remain. Neutral.
会議の後、少し残って話をした。
After the meeting, I hung around a bit to talk.
To stay and refuse to leave, overstay. Can be negative.
客がなかなか居座って帰らない。
The guest is hanging around and won't leave.
To be in the vicinity, often used when looking for someone or describing presence.
To be nearby. Simple and direct.
彼なら近くにいるはずだ。
He should be hanging around nearby.
To be around here. Casual.
さっきまでこの辺にいたんだけど。
He was hanging around here until a moment ago.
Directly translating 'hang around' as 掛ける (kakeru) or 吊るす (tsurusu) is incorrect. Use the phrases above depending on the nuance.