Translation guide
Describes something shaped like a cylinder: long, round, and straight with circular ends.
To describe an object as having a cylindrical shape.
Standard adjective meaning 'cylindrical'. Used for objects with a circular cross-section and straight sides.
This container is cylindrical.
Literally 'column-shaped', often used in technical or descriptive contexts.
I saw a cylindrical building.
Means 'tube-shaped'. Can imply hollowness, but often used for cylindrical shapes.
Boil cylindrical pasta.
In mathematics or engineering, referring to a perfect cylinder.
Same as above, but used in precise contexts.
Use a cylindrical coordinate system.
Loanword from English 'cylindrical', used in technical fields like engineering.
Design a cylindrical lens.
For describing arms, legs, tails, etc., as cylinder-like.
Both mean cylindrical, but 円筒形 emphasizes the hollow tube shape (筒 = tube), while 円柱状 emphasizes a solid column (柱 = pillar). In many contexts they are interchangeable.
筒状 (つつじょう) is very common for everyday items like cans, bottles, or pasta. It's less formal than 円筒形.
His arms are thick like logs.