noun

maru

MAH-roo

Maru (noun) means a traditional suffix or name given to Japanese ships, especially merchant vessels. Example: “The cargo ship was named the Fuji Maru.”

noun

A traditional suffix or name given to Japanese ships, especially merchant vessels.

"The cargo ship was named the Fuji Maru."

How to use maru

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA naming convention attached to Japanese ships, roughly like calling a ship "the ___."

Word forms

marus plural

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The cargo ship was named the Fuji _____.

Etymology

From Japanese maru, meaning "circle," traditionally used as a suffix in ship names.

Origin: Japanese

Rhymes for maru

Haru Aaru amaru Charu Subaru Masaru Hikaru Koharu Hotaru

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Frequently asked questions

What does “maru” mean?

The word “maru” means a traditional suffix or name given to Japanese ships, especially merchant vessels. In plain terms, a naming convention attached to Japanese ships, roughly like calling a ship "the ___.".

How do you pronounce “maru”?

“Maru” is pronounced MAH-roo (/ˈmɑɹu/ in IPA).

How do you use “maru” in a sentence?

Here is “maru” used in a sentence: “The cargo ship was named the Fuji Maru.”

What part of speech is “maru”?

“Maru” is a noun.

Where does the word “maru” come from?

The word “maru” comes from Japanese. From Japanese maru, meaning "circle," traditionally used as a suffix in ship names.

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Vocabulary lists that include maru:

Words with Japanese origins Words that end with U