Translation guide
The English word 'circular' can describe a shape, a movement, or a type of reasoning. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression depending on what you mean.
Describing something that has the form of a circle, such as a round table, a circular window, or a circular piece of paper.
The most common and neutral way to say 'circular' when referring to shape. It literally means 'circle-shaped'.
This table is circular.
Light is coming in through the circular window.
A more casual, everyday word for 'round' or 'circular'. Often used for objects like balls, plates, or faces. It can also imply a softer, less perfect circle.
I want to buy a round table.
She has a round face.
Means 'circular' or 'ring-shaped', often used in technical or descriptive contexts, like a circular arrangement or formation.
The players lined up in a circle.
Describing a path or motion that goes around in a circle, like a circular route or a circular motion.
Literally 'draw a circle', this phrase is used for circular motion or tracing a circular path.
The birds are flying in a circle in the sky.
He moved his arm in a circular motion.
Means 'to circulate' or 'to cycle'. Used for things that move in a circular or cyclical way, like air, water, or traffic.
This bus runs on a circular route around the city.
Used for a circular tour or route, often in gardens, museums, or sightseeing. Implies a designed circular path.
This garden is designed as a circular stroll garden.
Referring to a logical fallacy where the conclusion is assumed in the premise, or an argument that goes in circles.
A printed letter or notice sent to many people, like a company circular or a government circular.
A document circulated among a group, like an office memo or neighborhood notice. Often used with 回覧板 (circulation board).
Please pass around the circular.
An official notice or directive, often from a government or company. More formal than 回覧.
A leaflet or flyer, often used for advertising. Can be considered a type of circular when distributed widely.
The air is circulating in the room.
Be careful not to fall into circular reasoning.
Literally 'going around in circles', this idiom describes a discussion or thought process that gets nowhere, similar to circular reasoning but more colloquial.
The discussion is going in circles and we can't reach a conclusion.
The neighborhood association circular has arrived.
政府からの通達が各部署に送られた。
A circular from the government was sent to each department.
A supermarket circular was inserted in the newspaper.