Translation guide
The English word "frame" has many meanings, from physical borders to conceptual structures. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese equivalents by meaning, helping you choose the right word for the context.
A border that encloses a picture, photo, or mirror.
The standard word for a picture frame. Often shortened to 額 in casual contexts.
この写真を額縁に入れよう。
Let's put this photo in a frame.
Loanword from English, commonly used for modern or stylish frames, especially in interior design or digital contexts.
シンプルなフレームが部屋に合う。
A simple frame suits the room.
The basic structure or skeleton of something, such as a building, vehicle, or organization.
Literally 'bone structure', used for physical frameworks like buildings, furniture, or bodies.
家の骨組みが完成した。
The frame of the house is complete.
Used for abstract frameworks, such as systems, policies, or conceptual structures.
Also used for physical frames like bicycle frames or machine frames, often in technical contexts.
A line or structure that surrounds something, like a window or door frame.
General term for a frame or border, used for windows, doors, glasses, etc.
窓の枠をペンキで塗った。
I painted the window frame.
Often used for eyeglass frames or digital borders.
A single image in a sequence of a film or video.
Refers to a single frame in a film strip or comic panel. Also used for frames in animation.
このアニメは1秒間に24コマ使っている。
This anime uses 24 frames per second.
Common in technical or digital video contexts, such as frame rate.
The size and build of a person's body.
Refers to physical build or physique. Commonly used in health or sports contexts.
彼はがっしりした体格をしている。
He has a sturdy frame.
Literally 'skeletal structure', used to describe body frame in terms of bone structure.
A particular mood or way of thinking, as in 'frame of mind'.
Means 'state of mind'. Used to describe emotional or mental condition.
彼はとても落ち着いた心の状態だ。
He's in a very calm frame of mind.
More casual way to express 'frame of mind' or feeling.
そんな気持ちでいると失敗するよ。
If you're in that frame of mind, you'll fail.
To enclose something in a frame, or to compose a shot in photography.
Literally 'put into a frame'. Used for physical framing of pictures or documents.
賞状を額に入れて飾った。
I framed the certificate and displayed it.
Loanword used in photography or film to mean composing a shot.
被写体をうまくフレーミングする。
Frame the subject well.
To make an innocent person appear guilty of a crime.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'to pin a false charge on someone'.
彼は犯人にぬれぎぬを着せられた。
He was framed by the real culprit.
Slang/casual term meaning to set someone up or frame them.
誰かにはめられたんだ。
I was framed by someone.
The English phrase 'frame of mind' cannot be directly translated using フレーム. Use 心の状態 or 気持ち instead.
今の心の状態はどう？
What's your frame of mind right now?
骨組み is for physical structures (buildings, bodies), while 枠組み is for abstract systems or conceptual frameworks. Don't mix them up.
骨組み: 家の骨組み / 枠組み: 法律の枠組み
骨組み: house frame / 枠組み: legal framework
新しい法律の枠組みを考える。
We are considering a framework for the new law.
自転車のフレームが壊れた。
The bicycle frame broke.
新しい眼鏡のフレームを選ぶ。
I'm choosing new glasses frames.
フレームレートを60fpsに設定する。
Set the frame rate to 60fps.
彼女は骨格が細い。
She has a small frame.