Translation guide
The English word "circle" covers many concepts: a round shape, a group of people, a cycle, and more. Japanese uses different words for each. This guide helps you choose the right one.
A perfectly round geometric shape, or something drawn as a circle.
The most common word for a circle as a shape. Used in math, everyday descriptions, and for coins (e.g., 100 yen coin).
Please draw a circle.
This coin is in the shape of a circle.
Often used for circles in a more casual or physical sense, like a round object or a circle drawn quickly. Also used as a suffix (〜丸) for ship names.
Means 'circular shape', more formal or technical. Used in descriptions of objects or designs.
A group of people who share interests, activities, or social connections.
A loanword from English, used for hobby groups, clubs, or social circles, especially in university or casual settings.
A sequence of events that repeats, or a circular process.
Means 'circulation' or 'cycle', used for natural cycles, economic cycles, or recycling.
A route that goes around and returns to the start, like a bus route or a ring road.
To form a circle around something, or to surround.
Verb meaning 'to surround' or 'to encircle'. Used for people sitting around a table, or a fence around a house.
A seating area in a theater, often called 'dress circle' or 'upper circle'.
Literally 'circular seats', used for circle seating in theaters. Not very common; often the English loanword 'サークル席' is used.
While 円 (en) means circle as a shape, it is not used for a social circle. Use サークル or 仲間 instead.
He joined a new circle.
丸 (maru) is more casual and often refers to a round object or a circle drawn quickly. 円 (en) is the standard geometric term and is used in compounds like 円周 (circumference).
We sat in a circle.
輪 (wa) means ring or circle, often used for people sitting in a circle.
Draw a circle on the paper.
The children are sitting around a round table.
この建物は円形です。
This building is circular.
I joined a tennis circle at university.
He is hanging out with friends from the same circle.
Refers to a close-knit group of friends, comrades, or colleagues. Implies a sense of belonging and mutual support.
He went out for drinks with his work circle.
We are a good circle of friends.
A general loanword for 'group', often used interchangeably with 'circle' for a set of people.
She always eats lunch with the same circle of friends.
Refers to a specific community or scene, like a fandom or industry circle. Often used online.
He's famous in that anime circle.
The water cycle is an important natural process.
The economy has cycles.
Loanword for 'cycle', used in technical or everyday contexts like life cycle, business cycle.
We design considering the product life cycle.
Refers to a period or cycle, often in scientific contexts like orbital period or menstrual cycle.
The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days.
Specifically a loop line, like the Yamanote Line in Tokyo. Used for railways and roads.
The Yamanote Line is a circle line in Tokyo.
A circular bus route, often called a 'loop bus'.
I took the circle bus that goes around the city.
We all sat in a circle around the fire.
The house is encircled by a high wall.
To surround, often with a nuance of crowding around or enveloping. Can be used for people or atmosphere.
Reporters formed a circle around him.
I reserved seats in the dress circle.
丸い窓
a round window
area of a circle
She has a wide circle of friends.
友達の輪 (tomodachi no wa) literally 'circle of friends'.