枠(わく)

わく
noun
frame; slot, quota
1. frame, border
A physical frame or border that encloses something, such as a window frame, picture frame, or border around text.
窓(まど)の枠(わく)を塗(ぬ)り替(か)えた。
I repainted the window frame.
写真(しゃしん)に赤(あか)い枠(わく)を付(つ)けた。
I added a red border to the photo.
名前(なまえ)を枠(わく)の中(なか)に書(か)いてください。
Please write your name inside the box.
2. slot, quota, allotment
An abstract limit or designated space, such as a time slot, budget allocation, or available position. Widely used in business and media.
予算(よさん)の枠(わく)を超(こ)えた。
It exceeded the budget allocation.
募集(ぼしゅう)枠(わく)は残(のこ)り３人(にん)です。
There are three remaining slots for applicants.
既存(きそん)の枠(わく)にとらわれず、自由(じゆう)な発想(はっそう)で考(かんが)えてほしい。
I want you to think freely, without being constrained by existing frameworks.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 枠(わく)を超(こ)える: to go beyond the limits
  • 枠(わく)にはまる: to fit into a mold
  • 枠(わく)にとらわれない: not bound by conventions
  • 予算(よさん)枠(わく): budget allocation
  • 募集(ぼしゅう)枠(わく): recruitment slots
  • 時間(じかん)枠(わく): time slot

USAGE:
In abstract usage (sense 2), 枠(わく) often appears in compound nouns or with particles like を超(こ)える (exceed) and に収(おさ)まる (fit within). It is common in business, media, and organizational contexts.

Related Words

Related: 枠組(わくぐ)み
general
Added 2026.2.23 20:16
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