How to say "caliber" in Japanese

• 口径こうけいCommon
  nounThe literal sense: the diameter or bore of a gun barrel, or the aperture of a lens. This is the measurable 'caliber' of an opening, not a judgment of a person.
• 器量きりょうCommon
  nounThe figurative sense: a person's ability, capability, or capacity — how much someone is capable of. Choose this when 'caliber' evaluates a person's competence rather than a physical measurement.
• 器うつわJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounAlso figurative: a person's capacity or caliber, viewing the person as a vessel — the image behind the word. In this sense it overlaps with 器量.
  彼かれは将来しょうらい国家こっかの棟梁とうりょうたるべき器うつわだ。↗

  He has the capacity to be a future leader of the nation.

口径 is the literal, measurable caliber — the bore of a gun barrel or the aperture of a lens; 器量 and 器 both express the figurative caliber of a person, 器 picturing the person as a vessel.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 口径こうけいaperture
• 器量きりょうability
• 器うつわability
• 器きability