Translation guide
The English word "circle" covers many concepts: a round shape, a group of people, a cycle, and more. Japanese uses different words for each. This guide helps you choose the right one.
A perfectly round geometric shape, or something drawn as a circle.
The most common word for a circle as a shape. Used in math, everyday descriptions, and for coins (e.g., 100 yen coin).
円を描いてください。
Please draw a circle.
このコインは円の形をしている。
This coin is in the shape of a circle.
Often used for circles in a more casual or physical sense, like a round object or a circle drawn quickly. Also used as a suffix (〜丸) for ship names.
紙に丸を書いて。
Draw a circle on the paper.
Means 'circular shape', more formal or technical. Used in descriptions of objects or designs.
A group of people who share interests, activities, or social connections.
A sequence of events that repeats, or a circular process.
A route that goes around and returns to the start, like a bus route or a ring road.
To form a circle around something, or to surround.
Verb meaning 'to surround' or 'to encircle'. Used for people sitting around a table, or a fence around a house.
A seating area in a theater, often called 'dress circle' or 'upper circle'.
Literally 'circular seats', used for circle seating in theaters. Not very common; often the English loanword 'サークル席' is used.
ドレスサークルの席を予約した。
I reserved seats in the dress circle.
While 円 (en) means circle as a shape, it is not used for a social circle. Use サークル or 仲間 instead.
彼は新しいサークルに入った。
He joined a new circle.
丸 (maru) is more casual and often refers to a round object or a circle drawn quickly. 円 (en) is the standard geometric term and is used in compounds like 円周 (circumference).
私たちは輪になって座った。
We sat in a circle.
輪 (wa) means ring or circle, often used for people sitting in a circle.
The children are sitting around a round table.
この建物は円形です。
This building is circular.
A loanword from English, used for hobby groups, clubs, or social circles, especially in university or casual settings.
大学でテニスサークルに入った。
I joined a tennis circle at university.
彼は同じサークルの友達と遊んでいる。
He is hanging out with friends from the same circle.
Refers to a close-knit group of friends, comrades, or colleagues. Implies a sense of belonging and mutual support.
彼は仕事の仲間と飲みに行った。
He went out for drinks with his work circle.
私たちはいい仲間だ。
We are a good circle of friends.
A general loanword for 'group', often used interchangeably with 'circle' for a set of people.
彼女はいつも同じグループとランチを食べる。
She always eats lunch with the same circle of friends.
Refers to a specific community or scene, like a fandom or industry circle. Often used online.
そのアニメの界隈では有名な人だ。
He's famous in that anime circle.
Means 'circulation' or 'cycle', used for natural cycles, economic cycles, or recycling.
水の循環は自然の重要なプロセスだ。
The water cycle is an important natural process.
景気には循環がある。
The economy has cycles.
Loanword for 'cycle', used in technical or everyday contexts like life cycle, business cycle.
製品のライフサイクルを考えて設計する。
We design considering the product life cycle.
Refers to a period or cycle, often in scientific contexts like orbital period or menstrual cycle.
月の周期は約29.5日です。
The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days.
Specifically a loop line, like the Yamanote Line in Tokyo. Used for railways and roads.
山手線は東京の環状線です。
The Yamanote Line is a circle line in Tokyo.
A circular bus route, often called a 'loop bus'.
市内を回る循環バスに乗った。
I took the circle bus that goes around the city.
みんなで火を囲んだ。
We all sat in a circle around the fire.
家は高い塀に囲まれている。
The house is encircled by a high wall.
To surround, often with a nuance of crowding around or enveloping. Can be used for people or atmosphere.
記者たちが彼を取り巻いた。
Reporters formed a circle around him.