包む

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 包む is read つつむ and means wrapping something or enveloping its surroundings.
• Basic usage: It can describe wrapping a gift in paper or mist enveloping a village.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Object and material
  • In 贈り物を紙で包む, を marks what is wrapped and で marks the material.
  • In 霧が村を包む, mist is the subject and the village is what it envelops.
• Inflection
  • The て-form is 包んで.
  • The past form is 包んだ.