How to say "frame" in Japanese

• フレームCommon
  nounThe direct loanword, used for picture frames, bicycle and eyeglass frames, and similar concrete structures. When a common, everyday 'frame' comes to mind, this is often the easiest word to reach for.
  私は新あたらしい眼鏡めがねのフレームを買かわねばならない。↗

  I need to buy new spectacle frames.
• 枠わくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Covers the physical frame or border around something, and by extension frameworks or limits such as boundaries and constraints. Use it when the frame is a delineating edge or a set of restrictions rather than a supporting structure.
  ドアが枠わくに合あわなければ合あうまでドアにかんなをかけなければならない。↗

  If a door doesn't fit the casing, we must plane it carefully until it does.
• 枠組みわくぐみCommon
  nounRefers to a frame as a physical structure, and especially to a framework in the abstract sense, such as a system of rules or an organizing structure for discussion. For figurative 'framework', this is the natural choice.
• 車体しゃたいCommon
  nounMeans the body or frame of a car or similar vehicle, not 'frame' in general. It is only the word you want when talking about an automobile or comparable machine; for other senses of 'frame' it does not apply.
• 体格たいかくJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounDescribes a person's build or physique, including 'frame' as in having a large or small frame. It applies only to bodies; for objects or structures it is never the right word.
  そのスポーツ選手せんしゅはがっしりした体格たいかくをしていた。↗

  The athlete had a strong build.

Choose 「フレーム」 for everyday borrowed-English uses, 枠 for borders and limits, 「枠組み」 for frameworks, 車体 for a vehicle's body or frame, and 体格 only for a person's physical frame.

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

• フレームframe
• 枠わくframe
• 枠組みわくぐみframe (physical structure)
• 車体しゃたいbody (of car)
• 体格たいかくbuild
• 骨格こっかくskeleton
• 筐体きょうたいcase (of a machine, computer, etc.)
• こまframe (e.g. of film, panel in a comic, etc.)
• 躯体くたいframe (of a building)
• 桟さんframe (i.e. of a sliding door)
• 濡れ衣を着せるぬれぎぬをきせるto frame
• がたいbody build
• 架台かだいstand
• 架構かこうframework
• 枠を付けるわくをつけるto set a frame
• 駆体くたいskeleton (of a building)
• 陥れるおとしいれるto trap (into a difficult situation)
• 仕立て上げるしたてあげるto make out to be
• 額がく(picture) frame
• 額縁がくぶち(picture) frame
• 図体ずうたい(large) body
• 体からだbuild
• 骨ほねframe
• 胴どうframe (of a drum, etc.)
• 綴るつづるto write
• 骨組みほねぐみframework
• 肋骨あばらぼねframe (of a ship)