How to say "circle" in Japanese

• 丸まるJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for a circle or round shape, such as a circle drawn on paper or the shape of something round. It covers the basic geometric and shape sense in ordinary contexts.
  ジョンとキャシーは興味きょうみも性格せいかくも違ちがう。その二人ふたりを一緒いっしょにさせようとするのは丸穴まるあなに角かど釘くぎを打うつようなものだ。↗

  John and Cathy have different tastes and different characters. Trying to get them together is like putting a square peg in a round hole.
• 輪わJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounMeans a ring, circle, or loop — something circular with a hollow center, like a ring or a circle of people holding hands. It suggests a circular object or formation rather than the drawn shape itself.
• サークルJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe loanword for a circle in the social sense: a club or group with a common interest, such as a student club or a company sports circle. It never refers to a geometric shape.
• 円形えんけいCommon
  nounA somewhat formal word for the round shape or circular form of something. It describes that a shape is a circle, as in descriptions of objects or areas, rather than naming a circle as an object.
  頭あたまに円形えんけいの脱毛だつもうがあります。↗

  I have a round bald spot on my head.
• 円環えんかんCommon
  nounMeans a circle or ring, especially in formal or technical contexts such as mathematics or descriptions of ring-shaped structures. It is a stiff choice for everyday talk about circles, where 丸 or 輪 is the natural word.

Use 丸 or 円形 for a round shape, 輪 for a ring or loop, 「サークル」 for a club or interest group, and 円環 for a circle viewed as a ring shape.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 丸まるcircle
• 輪わring
• サークルgroup with a common interest (e.g. students)
• 円形えんけいround shape
• 円環えんかんcircle
• 圏けんsphere
• ○まるcircle
• 円陣えんじん(forming a) circle
• 円えんcircle
• 世界せかいsphere
• めぐるto surround
• 回るまわるto go around
• 仲間なかまgroup
• 舞うまうto whirl (in the wind)
• 筋すじsource (of information, etc.)