Translation guide
The English phrase "move around" can refer to physical relocation, changing position within a space, or being active and mobile. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these situations, from casual to formal.
To express that someone moves from place to place, often changing homes, cities, or countries.
Literally 'moving is frequent', this is the most natural way to say someone moves around a lot in terms of changing residences.
彼は仕事の都合で引っ越しが多い。
He moves around a lot because of his job.
Means to move from place to place, often with a nuance of wandering or not settling down. Can be used for residences or locations.
彼女は若い頃、国中を転々とした。
She moved around the country when she was young.
Means to wander or roam, often without a fixed destination. More literary or dramatic.
彼は世界中を放浪している。
He is wandering around the world.
To describe physically moving one's body or an object from one spot to another within a room, area, etc.
The most direct equivalent for moving around actively within an area. Implies continuous or repeated movement.
子供たちが部屋の中を動き回っている。
The children are moving around the room.
A more formal or technical term for moving from one place to another. Can be used for people or objects.
会議中に席を移動してもいいですか。
May I move to a different seat during the meeting?
Onomatopoeic word for loitering or hanging around without a clear purpose. Often has a negative nuance of being in the way.
変な人が家の前をうろうろしている。
A suspicious person is hanging around in front of the house.
To describe a lifestyle or habit of being on the go, traveling, or not being sedentary.
Literally 'go here and there', this is a very natural way to say you move around to various places.
週末はいつもあちこち行っている。
I'm always moving around on weekends.
Means 'there is movement', often used to describe a job or situation that involves moving around rather than staying still.
この仕事は一日中動きがある。
This job involves moving around all day.
Literally 'not staying still', used to describe someone who is always fidgeting or moving about.
うちの子はじっとしていなくて大変だ。
My kid never stays still; it's exhausting.
To express moving furniture or items to different places.
The basic transitive verb for moving something. Can be used for any object.
机を窓の近くに動かした。
I moved the desk near the window.
Means to change the arrangement or layout, often used for furniture or room setup.
部屋の配置を変えてみた。
I tried moving the furniture around in the room.
Causative form of 移動する, meaning to make something move. More formal or technical.
荷物を倉庫に移動させてください。
Please move the luggage to the warehouse.
動き回る is general movement (including crawling, running, etc.), while 歩き回る specifically means walking around. Use 動き回る for children or animals that move in various ways, and 歩き回る when the movement is on foot.
猫が家の中を動き回る。
The cat moves around the house.
彼は公園を歩き回った。
He walked around the park.
The English phrase 'move around' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Translating it word-for-word as 動く周り or similar will sound unnatural. Choose the expression that matches the specific context.
私は人生で何度も引っ越しをしてきた。
I've moved around a lot in my life.
動き回らないで、じっとしてなさい！
Stop moving around and sit still!
彼女は数ヶ月ごとに家具の配置を変えるのが好きだ。
She likes to move the furniture around every few months.
Specifically means to walk around, often implying exploration or restlessness.
観光客が街を歩き回っていた。
Tourists were walking around the town.