Difference between 丸 and 輪 for "circle"

Question

Both words mean "circle", although 丸 has also other meanings. But what's the nuance between them?

Answer 1

輪【わ】 is closer to ring or loop rather than circle. A 輪 doesn't necessarily be precisely circular, as long as it forms a loop. For example, the Japanese word for rubber band is 輪ゴム; it can deform and have a triangular shape.

丸【まる】 is a circle typically drawn on a paper, or displayed on a screen (The circle symbol (○) is called 丸). The important nuance of 丸 is that it must not have a sharp corner/edge. There's an i-adjective 丸い which refers to any round, cornerless objects. We can even say 丸い三角 (rounded triangle). And 丸 also means 'correct'.

And one more:

円【えん】: circle as defined in geometry, which is perfectly-round and should be drawn by a compass.