Refers to a circular shape or the symbol ○. Often used in contrast with 三角 (triangle) and 四角 (square).
See also: ○ (まる)
Please draw a circle on the paper.
Slang term for money, similar to 'dough' or 'cash' in English. Often used in casual conversation.
I don't have any dough this month, so eating out is out of the question.
castle enclosure
Only when written 丸
Historical term for an enclosed area within a castle's walls, especially the main bailey. Often seen in castle names like 本丸 (honmaru).
The main enclosure of Himeji Castle is spacious.
Kansai dialect word for soft-shelled turtle (suppon). Not used in standard Japanese.
See also: すっぽん
In Kansai, they sometimes call a soft-shelled turtle 'maru'.
suffix for names (ships, people, swords, etc.)
Only when written 丸
Traditional suffix attached to names of ships, infants, swords, armor, musical instruments, dogs, horses, etc. Often gives a familiar or endearing tone. Still used in modern ship names.
See also: 麻呂
The Nippon Maru is a famous sailing ship.
Many old swords were given names ending in '-maru'.
The teacher drew a large circle on the blackboard.
He lived abroad for a whole year.
Please circle the correct answer.
completely visible; in plain sight; fully exposed
inner citadel; main enclosure · core; center; crux
red circle on a white background (symbol of the sun) · Japanese flag; Hinomaru · Japan (metonym); Japanese government
plump; chubby; round · entirely; completely; wholly
roundness; rotundity · mellowness; maturity; gentleness
completely; absolutely; totally; (not) at all
swallowing whole; swallowing without chewing · swallowing a story; believing unquestioningly; accepting blindly · accepting unconditionally; accepting as-is
stark naked; completely nude · having nothing; losing everything; penniless
whole roast; roasted whole
become round; curl up; roll into a ball
buzz cut; close crop
close-cropped head; shaven head; bald head · treeless; leafless; bald; bare
perfectly round; perfect circle · adorably round; cute
unarmed; without weapons
round; chubby; plump
bedpan; chamber pot; potty
outer citadel; second bailey
washing whole; laundering without taking apart
reciter's book; complete set of books
outermost bailey; third bailey
boulder; cobble; round stone
log; unsawn timber
clear profit; pure gain; money for nothing
gouge; round chisel
complete ruin; total collapse · losing completely; total loss of face
make round; roll up; curl up · cajole; talk around; explain away · round off (a fraction) · shave one's head · lump together
Alternate kanji for 'circle', but less common than 丸 and easily confused with 円 (えん, 'yen' or 'circle').