Translation guide
The English word 'round' has many meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: shape, circular movement, stages, and more.
Describing something that is round in shape, like a circle or sphere.
The most common word for 'round' as a shape. Used for circles, spheres, and generally rounded objects.
このテーブルは丸いです。
This table is round.
彼女は丸い顔をしている。
She has a round face.
Means 'circular' and is slightly more formal or technical. Often used in descriptions of objects or layouts.
円形のテーブルを探しています。
I'm looking for a round table.
Specifically means 'spherical'. Use when emphasizing a 3D round shape.
地球は球形だ。
The Earth is round.
Describing movement in a circle or turning around.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to turn', 'to spin', 'to go around'. Used for objects moving in a circle.
Referring to a stage in a process, such as a round in a tournament, a round of drinks, or a round of negotiations.
Describing a regular route or series of visits, like a doctor's rounds or a delivery round.
Means 'to patrol', 'to go on rounds', or 'to make the rounds'. Used for security guards, doctors, etc.
医者が病室を巡回している。
The doctor is making his rounds.
Adjusting a number to a nearby convenient value.
The standard term for 'rounding' numbers, literally 'discard four, enter five'. Used in math and everyday calculations.
小数点以下を四捨五入してください。
Please round off the decimals.
Referring to a single unit of ammunition.
Means 'one shot' or 'one round'. Used for guns, cannons, etc.
Various fixed expressions using 'round'.
While ラウンド is used in specific contexts like boxing and golf, it is not a general translation for 'round'. For shapes, use 丸い; for stages, use 回戦 or counters.
丸い is the everyday word for 'round'. 円形 is more formal and often used in written descriptions or technical contexts. 球形 is specifically for spheres.
地球は太陽の周りを回っている。
The Earth goes round the sun.
観覧車がゆっくり回っている。
The Ferris wheel is turning round slowly.
Means 'to go around once' or 'to make a round'. Often used for traveling around a place.
湖を一周した。
We went round the lake.
Emphasizes a circular movement, often in a casual context. 'Gurutto' is an onomatopoeic word for a sweeping turn.
角をぐるっと回ると、駅が見える。
When you go round the corner, you'll see the station.
Used for rounds in sports tournaments or competitions. Attached to numbers: 1回戦 (first round), 2回戦 (second round).
彼は1回戦で負けた。
He lost in the first round.
Loanword from English, used in boxing, golf, and some games. Also used in business contexts like 'round of funding'.
次のラウンドで決着がつくだろう。
The match will be decided in the next round.
Used in contexts like rounds of a draft or selection process. Attached to numbers: 1巡目 (first round).
彼はドラフト1巡目で指名された。
He was selected in the first round of the draft.
General counter for occurrences, can be used for rounds of drinks, rounds of a game, etc.
もう一回飲み物を頼もう。
Let's order another round of drinks.
Can also mean 'to go around' visiting places. Often used with places as objects.
営業で取引先を回る。
I make the rounds of clients for sales.
Means 'to round up'. Used when you always increase the number.
計算結果を切り上げて整数にした。
I rounded up the result to a whole number.
Means 'to round down' or 'truncate'.
端数は切り捨てます。
We round down fractions.
He didn't waste a single round of ammunition.
Means 'round of applause' or 'ovation'. Often used with を浴びる (to receive).
彼の演奏は大きな拍手喝采を浴びた。
His performance received a big round of applause.
Means 'round trip'. Used for tickets, travel, etc.
往復切符をください。
A round-trip ticket, please.
Means 'all year round'. Literally 'throughout the year'.
この店は年中無休です。
This shop is open all year round.