マーク

まーく
noun
mark, symbol, sign
1. mark, symbol, sign
A visual symbol or sign used to indicate something.
×マークある。
There's an X mark.
このマーク(なん)意味(いみ)です
What does this mark mean?
To see a no parking mark.

マーク is a loanword from English "mark," used broadly for symbols, signs, logos, and indicators.

COMMON TYPES:

  • ×マーク: X mark (wrong, prohibited)
  • ○マーク: circle mark (correct, OK — unique to Japanese culture)
  • チェックマーク: check mark
  • 商標(しょうひょう)マーク: trademark symbol
  • クエスチョンマーク: question mark

AS A SURU VERB:

マークする means to mark, to watch, or to keep an eye on:

  • 警察(けいさつ)にマークされる: to be watched by the police
  • 相手(あいて)のエースをマークする: to mark the opponent's ace (sports)

CULTURAL NOTE:
In Japan, ○ (circle) means correct/good and × means wrong/no. This is the opposite of some Western conventions where a check mark (✓) means correct.