What it means
をめぐって means “concerning,” “regarding,” or “over” an issue. It commonly marks a topic that leads to discussion, disagreement, negotiation, competition, or changes in people’s positions. It is mainly used in formal or written contexts and often suggests that multiple parties are involved in some kind of conflict or active response.
Usage note
をめぐって normally follows a noun or noun phrase. It is more issue-focused and often more confrontational than the neutral phrase について; when it modifies a following noun, use をめぐる instead.
How to use it
新しい校舎の建設をめぐって、住民の意見が分かれました。
Residents’ opinions became divided over the construction of a new school building.
新しい校舎の建設をめぐって、住民の意見が分かれた。
Residents’ opinions became divided over the construction of a new school building.
Example sentences
新しい駅の建設計画をめぐって、住民と市役所の間で意見が分かれている。
Regarding the construction plan for the new station, opinions are divided between the residents and the city office.
奨学金の選考基準をめぐって、大学の委員会で活発な議論が交わされた。
Active discussions were held in the university committee regarding the scholarship selection criteria.