N1Grammar

に纏(まつ)わる

Surrounding, Related or relating to, Associated with, Connected to

Structure

Noun (A) + にまつわる + Noun (B)

Explanation

Derived from the verb まつわる, which means 'to be related to' or 'to concern', にまつわる is a rather formal expression. It is attached to a noun to indicate that something is related to or centers on that topic. Common English equivalents include 'concerning (A)', 'related to (A)', or 'surrounding (A)'.

Typically, you'll find にまつわる positioned between two nouns. The first noun (A) serves as the central theme, while the second noun (B) is the subject matter that revolves around that theme.

この城(しろ)にまつわる伝説(でんせつ)を調(しら)べています。
I'm researching the legends surrounding this castle.
彼(かれ)の会社(かいしゃ)にまつわる悪(わる)い噂(うわさ)を聞(き)いた。
I heard a bad rumor concerning his company.
これはお金(かね)にまつわるよくある問題(もんだい)だ。
This is a common problem related to money.

にまつわる is most frequently used when the second noun (B) refers to some kind of narrative or information about the first noun (A). Consequently, it often pairs with words like 話(はなし) 'story', 事件(じけん) 'incident', 伝説(でんせつ) 'legend', or 噂(うわさ) 'rumor'.

Fun Fact

The kanji for まつわる, 纏(まつ)わる, is the same one used in the verb 纏(まと)まる, which means 'to be collected' or 'to be brought together'. While this kanji is not common in everyday writing, thinking of its meaning can help you grasp the nuance of にまつわる. The idea is that various stories or pieces of information are 'brought together' and 'surround' a central topic (A).

Examples

織田(おだ)信長(のぶなが)に纏(まつ)わる「本能寺(ほんのうじ)の変(へん)」の話(はなし)はあまりにも有名(ゆうめい)だ。

The story of the 'Honno-ji Incident' connected to Oda Nobunaga is extremely famous.

最近(さいきん)、コーヒーに纏(まつ)わる健康(けんこう)についての記事(きじ)をよく見(み)かける。

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of articles regarding health that are related to coffee.

日本(にほん)には桜(さくら)に纏(まつ)わる名曲(めいきょく)がたくさんあります。

In Japan, there are many famous songs associated with cherry blossoms.

その政治家(せいじか)に纏(まつ)わる汚職(おしょく)事件(じけん)は、連日(れんじつ)ニュースで報道(ほうどう)されている。

The corruption scandal surrounding that politician is being reported on the news every day.

エッフェル塔(とう)に纏(まつ)わる面白(おもしろ)い豆知識(まめちしき)を一(ひと)つ教(おし)えてあげよう。

Let me tell you one interesting piece of trivia about the Eiffel Tower.

この未解決(みかいけつ)事件(じけん)に纏(まつ)わる謎(なぞ)は、今(いま)も多(おお)くの人(ひと)々の興味(きょうみ)を引(ひ)いている。

The mysteries surrounding this unsolved case still capture the interest of many people.

宇宙(うちゅう)に纏(まつ)わる映画(えいが)には、夢(ゆめ)とロマンが詰(つ)まっている。

Movies about space are filled with dreams and adventure.

人工(じんこう)知能(ちのう)に纏(まつ)わる倫理的(りんりてき)な問題(もんだい)について、議論(ぎろん)が交(か)わされている。

Discussions are being held regarding the ethical problems connected to artificial intelligence.

この島(しま)には、海賊(かいぞく)の宝(たから)に纏(まつ)わる古(ふる)い言(い)い伝(つた)えが残(のこ)っている。

On this island, an old legend related to pirate treasure remains.

彼女(かのじょ)の過去(かこ)に纏(まつ)わる噂(うわさ)が流(なが)れているが、僕(ぼく)は信(しん)じない。

There are rumors circulating about her past, but I don't believe them.

レポート課題(かだい)：「源氏物語(げんじものがたり)に纏(まつ)わる和歌(わか)についての考察(こうさつ)。」

Report topic: 'An analysis of the waka poems related to The Tale of Genji.'

結婚式(けっこんしき)に纏(まつ)わる様々(さまざま)な風習(ふうしゅう)を調(しら)べている。

I'm researching the various customs associated with wedding ceremonies.