How to say "square" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 四角しかくna-adjective, no-adjectiveThe basic noun for a four-sided figure: it can mean a square specifically or any quadrilateral, so context decides. Use it when naming the shape rather than describing something as square.
- 方形ほうけいno-adjectiveA formal name for the square shape, found mainly in mathematical and technical writing; in everyday speech 四角 is the usual choice, so this is seldom the natural conversational word.
- 四角いしかくいi-adjectiveThe adjective for things that are square or rectangular: a box, a table, a face. Since it covers any four-cornered shape, it does not by itself promise a perfect square.
- nounThe English loanword for the square shape, at home in fashion, design and product descriptions; it carries a Western, stylish flavour that the native words lack.
- 平方へいほうnounThe arithmetic sense of square: multiplying a number by itself, as in units of area such as the square metre. It is not a word for the shape.
Use 「四角い」 to describe things as square, 四角 for the shape or a quadrilateral as a noun, 方形 in formal mathematical writing, 「スクエア」 as the loanword in design contexts, and 平方 only for arithmetic and area units.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 四角しかくquadrilateral
- 方形ほうけいsquare
- 四角いしかくいsquare
- スクエアsquare (shape)
- 平方へいほうsquare (e.g. metre)
- 広場ひろばpublic square
- 正方形せいほうけいsquare
- 真四角ましかくsquare
- 正方せいほうsquare
- スコヤsquare (tool)
- 升形ますがたsquare (shape)
- 二乗にじょうsquare (of a number)
- まっ四角まっしかくsquare
- 平方形へいほうけいsquare
- 四角四面しかくしめんsquare
- 堅人かたじんsquare
- スクウェアSquare (now Square Enix)
- おあいこquits
- いかついstern
- 角かくsquare
- 堂々どうどうfair
- 怒らせるおこらせるto square (one's shoulders)
- マス目マスめsquare (e.g. of graph paper or Japanese manuscript paper)
- 怒らすおこらすto square (one's shoulders)
- あいこquits
- めintersection (on a go board)
- 四方しほうsquare
See also
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