輪郭(りんかく)

りんかく
noun
outline; contour; silhouette
1. outline; contour; silhouette
The outer edge or boundary line of a shape or figure. Used for physical outlines of objects, faces, and landscapes.
山(やま)の輪郭(りんかく)がはっきり見(み)える。
The outline of the mountain is clearly visible.
暗(くら)がりの中(なか)で人(ひと)の輪郭(りんかく)がぼんやりと浮(う)かんだ。
A person's silhouette faintly emerged in the darkness.
アイラインで目(め)の輪郭(りんかく)を強調(きょうちょう)する。
Emphasize the contour of the eyes with eyeliner.
2. outline; general framework
The broad structure or main points of a plan, idea, or concept, without going into fine detail.
計画(けいかく)の輪郭(りんかく)が見(み)えてきた。
The outline of the plan is becoming clear.
まずは全体(ぜんたい)の輪郭(りんかく)をつかんでから、細部(さいぶ)に入(はい)ろう。
Let's grasp the overall outline first, then get into the details.
議論(ぎろん)を重(かさ)ねるうちに、新(あたら)しい制度(せいど)の輪郭(りんかく)がだんだん明(あき)らかになってきた。
Through repeated discussions, the outline of the new system gradually became clear.

Compound of 輪(りん) (ring, circle) + 郭(かく) (enclosure, outline). Both senses share the idea of an outer boundary that defines a shape.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 概要(がいよう): summary, overview (focuses on content, not shape)
  • 外形(がいけい): external shape, form (more technical)
  • シルエット: silhouette (loanword, specifically a dark shape against light)

Related Words

Compare: 概要(がいよう) (summary, overview)
Compare: シルエット (silhouette)
Compare: 外枠(そとわく) (outer frame)
general
Added 2026.2.28 18:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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