Translation guide
The outer edge of a round object, such as a wheel, cup, or glasses frame.
The outer circular part of a wheel that holds the tire.
The most common and direct translation for 'rim' in the context of wheels, especially car or bicycle wheels. It's a loanword from English.
The bicycle rim got bent.
新しいリムを買わないといけない。
I have to buy a new rim.
Often used interchangeably with 'rim' in casual contexts, but technically refers to the entire wheel assembly including the rim. Common in car and bicycle talk.
ホイールを交換した。
I replaced the wheels (rims).
A literal, descriptive phrase meaning 'edge of a wheel'. Rarely used in everyday speech; more technical or explanatory.
車輪の縁が錆びている。
The rim of the wheel is rusty.
The top circular edge of a drinking vessel or bowl.
The general word for the rim or edge of a container like a cup, glass, or bowl. Very common and natural.
コップの縁に口紅がついている。
There's lipstick on the rim of the glass.
茶碗の縁が欠けた。
The rim of the rice bowl chipped.
Literally 'mouth', but often used to refer to the rim or opening of a container, especially when drinking or pouring. More common in certain phrases.
瓶の口から直接飲まないで。
Don't drink directly from the rim of the bottle.
The English loanword 'rim' is sometimes used for cups or glasses, especially in product descriptions or fashion contexts, but it's less natural than 縁.
このグラスはリムが薄くて飲みやすい。
This glass has a thin rim and is easy to drink from.
The frame surrounding the lenses of eyeglasses.
The standard word for the frame of glasses, including the rim part. When specifying the rim, you can say フレームの縁, but usually just フレーム is enough.
このメガネはフレームが太い。
These glasses have thick rims.
フレームの色を選べます。
You can choose the color of the rims.
Can be used specifically for the rim part of glasses, often in combination with メガネ (e.g., メガネの縁). More precise than フレーム when emphasizing the edge.
Used in the term 'rimless glasses' (リムレスメガネ) or sometimes for the rim itself, but not as common as フレーム or 縁.
リムレスメガネが流行っている。
Rimless glasses are in fashion.
The projecting edge of a hat, also called the brim.
The standard word for the brim or rim of a hat. Note that English sometimes distinguishes 'rim' and 'brim', but Japanese uses つば for both.
帽子のつばを下げて歩く。
He walks with the rim of his hat pulled down.
この帽子はつばが広い。
This hat has a wide rim.
Can also be used for the rim of a hat, but つば is more specific and common. 縁 is more general 'edge'.
The raised edge surrounding a crater, volcano, or similar depression.
Used for the rim of a crater or similar natural feature. Often combined with the specific noun, e.g., 火口の縁 (crater rim).
火口の縁まで登った。
We climbed up to the rim of the crater.
Sometimes used in geological or technical contexts as a loanword, but 縁 is more natural.
クレーターのリムがはっきり見える。
The rim of the crater is clearly visible.
The metal ring of a basketball hoop.
The standard term for the rim in basketball. Also used for the hoop itself.
ボールがリングに当たって外れた。
The ball hit the rim and bounced out.
Also used in basketball contexts, especially among enthusiasts or in technical descriptions, but リング is more common.
ダンクでリムが壊れた。
The rim broke from the dunk.
縁 is the native Japanese word for the edge or rim of any object, especially containers, glasses, and geographical features. リム is a loanword from English and is most natural for wheel rims and some technical or fashion contexts. For everyday items like cups and bowls, 縁 is preferred. For car/bicycle wheels, リム is standard.
While リム is understood, using it for non-wheel contexts like cups or hats can sound unnatural or overly technical. Stick to 縁 or specific terms like つば for hats.
The rim of the glasses is bent.
The rim of the hat is frayed.