How to say "shape" in Japanese

• 格好かっこうJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounRefers to the overall outward shape or look of something, and to a person's posture or stance; use it when commenting on how someone or something is shaped or holds itself.
• 形かたちJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe default word for the physical shape of a concrete object — what shape something actually is. Use it when talking about the form of things you can see or touch.
  物質ぶっしつは温度おんどによって形かたちを変かえる。↗

  Matter changes its form according to temperature.
• 姿すがたJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers figure and form in the sense of how a person looks — someone's figure, silhouette, or appearance. For the shape of physical objects it is seldom the word you want.
  自分じぶんの姿すがたを鏡かがみにうつして見みなさい。↗

  Look at yourself in the mirror.
• 形状けいじょうCommon
  nounA noun for the shape or form of a physical object, treated as its geometry or outline; typical of descriptions and specifications that state what shape something has.
• フィギュアCommon
  nounAs a way to say shape this is marginal: the loanword is really known for figurines and for figure skating, so it is seldom the word you want for the shape of something.

Use 形 for the physical shape of an object, 格好 for overall outward shape or a person's posture, 姿 for a person's figure, 形状 for an object's shape in descriptions, and treat 「フィギュア」 as marginal.

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

• 格好かっこうshape
• 形かたち(physical) form
• 姿すがたfigure
• 形状けいじょうshape
• フィギュアfigure
• 状じょうform
• 体調たいちょうphysical condition
• シェイプshape
• 形態けいたいform
• 象しょうform
• 図形ずけいfigure
• 形作るかたちづくるto form
• 類型るいけいtype
• 形象けいしょうshape
• スタイル(one's) figure
• 影かげshadow
• 形かたshape
• なりstyle
• 佇まいたたずまいappearance
• 姿形すがたかたちappearance
• 物影ものかげform
• フォルムform
• 調子ちょうしcondition
• 像ぞうfigure
• 目鼻めはなshape
• 体たいshape
• モールドfigure