丸い
marui
The English word "round" is translated into Japanese as 丸い (marui).
丸い is used to describe objects that are circular or cylindrical in shape.
Meaning: circular or cylindrical (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 丸い is the standard term, you may encounter other variations. 円形 refers explicitly to the shape of a circle in a formal context. For an informal touch that adds a sense of cuteness, you can use 丸っこい. If you want to express that something is perfectly round or spherical in an informal way, use まんまる.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an i-adjective, 丸い can directly precede a noun to modify it, such as 丸いボール (a round ball). To express the negative "is not round", use 丸くない. To express the past tense "was round", change the adjective to 丸かった.
How do you pronounce it?
marui
Did you know?
- While 丸い describes roundness, the word for a circle 円 is also the word for the Japanese 'Yen' currency.
- In Japanese business or social negotiations, the phrase 角を丸める literally means 'to round off the corners' but is used to mean smoothing over a conflict.
- The word まんまる (manmaru) is an ideophone, which means it is an onomatopoeic-style word used to emphasize the 'fullness' or perfection of the roundness.
Examples in context
- 地球は丸い。The earth is round.This sentence is useful for stating that the earth is round using 丸い.Tatoeba #126969 by bunbuku, translation #277121 by CK
- ボールは丸い。Balls are round.This sentence is useful for stating that balls are round using 丸い.Tatoeba #196476 by bunbuku, translation #33654 by CK
- 先生は地球は丸いと言った。The teacher said that the earth is round.This sentence is useful for reporting that a teacher said the earth is round using 丸い.Tatoeba #141534 by bunbuku, translation #273036 by Eldad
- このテーブルは丸い形をしています。This table has a round shape.
- 彼女は丸い顔をしています。She has a round face.
- この庭には円形の噴水があります。There is a circular fountain in this garden.
- この絵画は円形の額縁に入っています。This painting is housed in a circular frame.
- あの子の頬は丸っこいですね。That child has round cheeks, right?
- このケーキは丸っこくて、おいしいですよ！This cake is round and delicious!
- このボールはまんまるですね。This ball is perfectly round.
- 彼女の目はまんまるでかわいいです。Her eyes are perfectly round and cute.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are looking at a piece of fruit in a kitchen.
- 美咲 Misakiこのスイカは丸いですね。Kono suika wa marui desu ne.This watermelon is round, isn't it?
- 蓮 Ren本当だ、とても綺麗ですね。Hontō da, totemo kirei desu ne.True, it is very beautiful.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さんは、丸い果物が好きですか？Ren-san wa, marui kudamono ga suki desu ka?Ren, do you like round fruit?
- 蓮 Renはい、大好きです。Hai, daisuki desu.Yes, I love them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 丸い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
