Japanese word

四角い

Pronunciation

Romajishikakui

Meaning

  • i-adjectivesquare

Example

この紙は四角いです。ko no kami wa shikaki i de su

This paper is square.

Illustration for 四角い (square)

More examples

この箱は四角いです。ko no bako wa shi kaku i de su

This box is square.

この箱は四角いですが、ふたは丸いです。ko no bako wa shikaki i de su ga fu ta wa mari i de su

This box is square, but its lid is round.

Core concept

Describes a shape formed by four straight sides and corners, with the exact proportions left unspecified.

Common phrases

  • 四角い顔shi kaku i kao

    square face

  • 四角い箱shi kaku i hako

    square box

  • 四角いテーブルshi kaku i tē bu ru

    square table

Definition in Japanese

輪郭が四角形になっていて、丸みのない形であるさま。rin kaku ga shi kaku kei ni na tte i te maru mi no na i katachi de a ru sa ma

Word origin

四角い (shikakui, "square-shaped") is formed from 四角 (shikaku, "four-sided shape") and the い (i) ending used to make an adjective.

Usage tips

  • When 四角い (shikakui) describes a face or jaw, it highlights a visibly angular outline rather than a mathematically exact square.

Other meanings

  • rectangulari-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 四角さshikakusasquarenessnoun

Word lists with this word