Translation guide
The English word "square" covers a wide range of meanings, from shapes and locations to personality traits and mathematical concepts. This guide breaks them down into practical meanings for English-speaking learners of Japanese.
Referring to a square shape or something square-shaped.
a square piece of paper · draw a square · square shape
The precise geometric term for a square (four equal sides and right angles). Use this in math or formal contexts.
この図形は正方形です。
This shape is a square.
A more casual, everyday word for a square or rectangle. Often used for square objects.
Formal term for quadrilateral; can mean square in some contexts but less common than 正方形.
Referring to a town square, plaza, or open area in a city.
town square · the village square · let's meet in the square
Describing someone who is old-fashioned, boring, or too rule-abiding.
he's a square · don't be such a square · she's too square for us
Japanese doesn't have a direct equivalent for "square" as a boring person. Describe them as "too serious" or "too straight-laced."
彼は真面目すぎて、冗談が通じない。
He's such a square; he doesn't get jokes.
Describing a deal or action that is fair, honest, or straightforward.
a square deal · be square with someone · fair and square
Means fair, just, or impartial. Used for dealings, treatment, etc.
公正な取引をしましょう。
Let's make a square deal.
Being even, as in debts or scores; not owing anything.
we're square now · let's call it square · get square with someone
Literally "no lending or borrowing"; means being even or quits.
これで貸し借りなしだ。
Now we're square.
Describing something positioned at a right angle or perpendicular.
square with the wall · cut it square · the picture isn't square
Means at a right angle; used for positioning or alignment.
板を直角に切ってください。
Cut the board square.
Referring to the square of a number.
the square of 5 · x squared · square root
Describing facing or hitting something directly.
looked him square in the eye · hit square on · squarely in the middle
Means directly, head-on, or squarely. Often used with verbs like 受ける (receive) or 当たる (hit).
彼のパンチをまともに受けた。
I took his punch square on the chin.
There is no direct Japanese word for "square" meaning a boring, conventional person. Using 四角 (shikaku) would be confusing. Instead, describe the person's traits (e.g., 真面目すぎる, 堅物).
正方形 (seihoukei) is strictly a geometric square. 四角 (shikaku) is a casual term for any four-sided shape, often square or rectangle. Use 四角 for everyday objects like boxes or rooms.
この部屋は四角い。
This room is square.
町の広場で会いましょう。
Let's meet at the town square.
彼はちょっと堅物だ。
He's a bit of a square.
これで貸し借りなしだ。
We're square now.
その箱は四角いですね。
That box is square, isn't it?
四角形の面積を求めなさい。
Find the area of the quadrilateral.
The standard word for a public square or plaza.
駅前の広場で待ち合わせましょう。
Let's meet at the square in front of the station.
Loanword from English, used in proper names like Times Square or Roppongi Square.
タイムズスクエアはニューヨークにあります。
Times Square is in New York.
A person who is stiff, formal, and inflexible; a bit old-fashioned.
あの人は堅物だから、パーティーには来ないよ。
He's a square, so he won't come to the party.
Literally "serious human"; a colloquial way to call someone a square.
真面目人間だね、君は。
You're such a square.
Means honest, truthful. Can be used for a square person or action.
彼は正直な人間だ。
He's a square guy.
Means fair, impartial. Similar to 公正 but more about equal treatment.
公平に分けよう。
Let's split it square.
Slang meaning even, quits, or cancelled out. Very casual.
この前の借りはチャラにしてあげる。
I'll call it square for what you owed me before.
Means straight; can imply square alignment in some contexts.
額をまっすぐにかけて。
Hang the picture square.
Means square (as in square meter, square root). Used in compound terms.
平方メートル
square meter
Means directly, head-on, often in confrontations.
真っ向から反対する。
Oppose square and fair.