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.
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
The standard word for a public square or plaza.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
This room is square.
Let's meet at the town square.
その箱は四角いですね。
That box is square, isn't it?
Find the area of the quadrilateral.
Let's meet at the square in front of the station.
Loanword from English, used in proper names like Times Square or Roppongi Square.
Times Square is in New York.
He's such a square; he doesn't get jokes.
A person who is stiff, formal, and inflexible; a bit old-fashioned.
He's a square, so he won't come to the party.
Literally "serious human"; a colloquial way to call someone a square.
You're such a square.
Let's make a square deal.
Means honest, truthful. Can be used for a square person or action.
He's a square guy.
Means fair, impartial. Similar to 公正 but more about equal treatment.
Let's split it square.
Now we're square.
Slang meaning even, quits, or cancelled out. Very casual.
I'll call it square for what you owed me before.
Cut the board square.
Means straight; can imply square alignment in some contexts.
Hang the picture square.
3 squared is 9.
Means square (as in square meter, square root). Used in compound terms.
square meter
I took his punch square on the chin.
Means directly, head-on, often in confrontations.
Oppose square and fair.
He's a bit of a square.
We're square now.