also: りょうけい
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
rhombus; diamond shape; lozenge
Refers to a geometric rhombus or any diamond-shaped figure. Common in everyday descriptions of shapes, patterns, and symbols.
この模様は菱形が並んでいる。
This pattern has rhombuses lined up.
トランプのダイヤは菱形のマークだ。
The diamond in playing cards is a rhombus-shaped mark.
Common mixed kanji-kana spelling, especially in everyday writing.
Compound of 菱 (hishi, 'water chestnut' or 'diamond shape') and 形 (kata/gata, 'shape'). The kanji 菱 originally referred to the water chestnut plant, whose leaves are rhombus-shaped, leading to the meaning 'diamond shape'.