丸い・円い|まるいmarui[0]heiban (flat)
まろいmaroiok
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Which spelling to use
丸いFor beginners, 丸い is the default choice and the most common written form for this adjective.
円い円い is a less common written variant of the same adjective, so learners may encounter it but should generally choose 丸い instead.
Definitions
- i-adjectiveround; circular; spherical丸い usu. refers to ball-shaped, and 円い to disc-shaped objects
- i-adjectivecurved; smooth
- i-adjectiveharmonious; calm; peaceful; amiable; amicable
Conjugation
| Plain form | 丸い（まるい） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 丸いです（まるいです） |
| Negative (kunai) | 丸くない（まるくない） |
| polite (ku arimasen) | 丸くありません（まるくありません） |
| Past (katta) | 丸かった（まるかった） |
| Past negative (kunakatta) | 丸くなかった（まるくなかった） |
| Te form (kute) | 丸くて（まるくて） |
| Adverbial (ku) | 丸く（まるく） |
| Conditional (kereba) | 丸ければ（まるければ） |
| kattara | 丸かったら（まるかったら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym真ん丸いまんまるいCasualColloquial. For perfectly round shapes; stresses that the roundness is complete, stronger than 「丸い」.
- Synonym丸っこいまるっこいCasualColloquial. Chubby and roundish with a cute feel, as in 「丸っこい字」; it adds an endearing tone that plain 「丸い」 does not have.
- Synonym円かまどかWrittenWritten/formal prose. An archaic word for roundness with a serene, contented feel; seen mostly in poetry or as a name.
- SynonymまろやかNeutralNeutral. Covers rounded shapes, but often means mellow in taste or texture, as in 「まろやかな味」; common in daily use.
- Antonym四角いしかくいNeutralNeutral. The direct opposite of 「丸い」: square or rectangular.
- Antonym角ばったCasualColloquial. The opposite of 「丸い」: angular, with sharp corners; also describes a stiff, prickly personality.
For round things, 「丸い」 is the default. Use 「真ん丸い」 for perfectly round, 「丸っこい」 for cutely plump shapes, and 「まろやか」 for mellow flavors; 「四角い」 is the word for square.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
