Translation guide
Describes something with sharp corners, a bony appearance, or a stiff, ungraceful manner. Japanese uses different words for physical angularity, body types, and personality.
Describing geometric shapes, furniture, architecture, or objects with clear, sharp angles rather than curves.
The most common and natural way to say 'angular' for physical objects. Literally 'having corners'.
この机は角張ったデザインだ。
This desk has an angular design.
He has an angular face.
Literally 'having corners', used for objects. Slightly less common than 角張った.
角のあるテーブルは危ない。
A table with sharp corners is dangerous.
Variant of 角張った, same meaning and usage.
角ばった石を拾った。
I picked up an angular stone.
Describing a person's physique or facial features as thin and bony, with sharp angles.
Specifically means 'bony' or 'angular' in reference to body parts. Implies thinness and prominent bones.
彼女は骨張った手をしている。
She has bony (angular) hands.
骨張った肩が痛々しい。
His angular shoulders look painful.
Can also describe a face or body with sharp angles, but 骨張った is more specific for bony thinness.
角張ったあごの男性。
A man with an angular jaw.
Means 'gaunt' or 'emaciated', implying an angular appearance from extreme thinness. Stronger and more negative.
痩せこけた頬がこけている。
His gaunt cheeks are hollow.
Describing a person's movements, posture, or personality as lacking smoothness or grace.
Means 'awkward', 'clumsy', or 'stiff' in movement or speech. Often used for angular, ungraceful motions.
彼の動きはまだぎこちない。
His movements are still angular (awkward).
ぎこちないダンスだった。
It was an angular (stiff) dance.
Can metaphorically describe stiff, angular movements or personality, but ぎこちない is more common for awkwardness.
角張った態度をとる。
He has an angular (stiff) attitude.
角張った is for general angular shapes (objects, faces, designs). 骨張った specifically means bony or skeletal angularity, used for body parts. Use 角張った for geometric angularity, 骨張った for thin, bony features.
Avoid directly translating 'angular' as 角度のある (having angles) or 角の (of corners). These sound unnatural. Use 角張った or context-appropriate words.
Means 'stiff', 'formal', or 'rigid', often for personality or atmosphere. Implies a lack of ease.
彼の話し方は堅苦しい。
His way of speaking is angular (stiff).