丸(まる)い

丸(まる)い is an i-adjective meaning round, circular, or spherical.

Writing

• 丸(まる)い: the default spelling, and the one to use when unsure. Covers both balls and circles.
• 円(まる)い: reserved for flat circles — a disc, a circle drawn on paper, a full moon. Uncommon in modern writing, where 丸(まる)い has largely absorbed it.

Forms

• 丸(まる)い: round (basic form)
• 丸(まる)く: roundly (adverb)
• 丸(まる)さ: roundness (noun)

Common patterns

• 丸(まる)い顔(かお): round face
• 丸(まる)いテーブル: round table
• 丸(まる)い目(め): round eyes
• 丸(まる)くなる: to become round

Usage

The figurative sense runs through the idea that a round thing has no corners to catch on, so roundness stands for harmony.

• 丸(まる)く収(おさ)まる: to be settled peacefully, with nobody left aggrieved
• 角(かど)が取(と)れて丸(まる)くなる: to mellow with age (of a person)

Related words

• 丸(まる): the noun — a circle, or the ○ mark used for 'correct'
• 四角(しかく)い: square
• 三角(さんかく)の: triangular