White Circle

Context determines whether it marks approval, privacy, or simple hierarchy. In Japan, where it is known as marujirushi, an open circle is the everyday sign for a correct answer, agreement, or approval. Where Western teachers use a checkmark (✓), grading in Japan typically uses a circle.

In Taiwan and Japanese publishing, repeated circles like ○○○ often serve as placeholders to conceal private names or sensitive words. In general document layout, an unadorned circle most often acts as an open bullet point or an uncompleted item marker.

How should you interpret ○ when someone sends it?

Look at the sender's cultural context before guessing. If a message arrives from a Japanese contact, ○ usually signals agreement, «yes», or «correct», contrasted against × for «no» or «incorrect». Korean quizzes also frequently use O and X for true/false questions.

In everyday messaging, people also use circles as neat visual dividers or blank spaces in guessing games. Without a grading or quiz context, it functions as a plain geometric symbol rather than an emotional signal.