How to say "gauge" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe loanword, a direct borrowing of 'gauge': it covers the concrete sense, a measuring instrument or device. For the abstract sense of a measure or criterion, it is not the word you reach for.
- nounA meter: a device that measures and indicates a quantity. When 'gauge' means such an instrument — something with a reading you check — this loanword fits; it does not cover abstract standards or criteria.
- 尺度しゃくどnounThe abstract sense: a scale, measure, or yardstick used in judging or evaluating something. This is the word for figurative 'gauge', a measure of something you assess, not for a physical instrument.
- 計器けいきnounThe Sino-Japanese word for a measuring instrument; like メーター it denotes the device itself, not an abstract standard, and unlike ゲージ it is not a loanword.
- 基準きじゅんnounA standard, criterion, or benchmark: the reference point things are judged against. It is really 'standard', not a measuring instrument or scale; for most senses of 'gauge' this is not the word you want.
For 'gauge' as a measuring device, choose among 「ゲージ」, 「メーター」 and 計器; for the abstract sense — a measure or yardstick for judging — use 尺度; 基準 is really 'standard' and matches 'gauge' only loosely.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
