輪郭

• Reading: りんかく
• Romaji: rinkaku
• Kanji breakdown: 輪 (rin) — ring, circle; 郭 (kaku) — outer wall, enclosure
• Pronunciation: /ɾiɴ.ka.kɯ/

Meaning

Contour; outline; silhouette. The outer edge or shape of something.

A noun referring to the visible border or outline of a form. Used concretely for physical shapes — 顔の輪郭 (face contour) is very common — and abstractly for the general shape of an idea or plan: 計画の輪郭 (the outline of a plan). Also a key term in art and design for describing line work.

Examples

1. 霧の中で建物の輪郭がぼんやり見えた。 Through the fog, the outline of a building was faintly visible.
2. 彼女は輪郭がはっきりした顔立ちをしている。 She has sharp, well-defined facial features.
3. 新しい政策の輪郭が少しずつ明らかになってきた。 The outline of the new policy has been gradually coming into focus.

Usage Guide

Context: art, description, beauty, planning

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 輪 (rin, ring/circle) + 郭 (kaku, outer wall/enclosure). Originally referred to the outer walls of a castle or fortification, later generalised to mean any outer boundary or contour.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal