How to say "metre" in Japanese

• メートルJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounThe metre as a unit of length, used for measuring height, distance, and the like. For measurements, either this word or メーター is acceptable.
  １マイルは約やく１６００メートルにあたる。↗

  A mile is equal to about 1,600 meters.
• 拍子ひょうしCommon
  nounTime, metre, and rhythm, chiefly in music: the regular beat of a piece. It has nothing to do with the unit of length.
• 韻律いんりつCommon
  nounThe metre of a poem — the rhythmic structure of verse. This is the word for poetic metre; for the unit of length it is not the word you want.
  言葉ことばによる詩しとは、要約ようやくして言いえば、韻律いんりつ的てき美びの創造そうぞうであるとしたい。↗

  I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the Rhythmical Creation of Beauty.
• メーターJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounLike メートル, this gives the unit of length, and either word is fine for measurements. メーター is also used for a meter in the sense of a measuring device.
  ロープは、２〜３メーター短みじかすぎた。↗

  The rope was a couple of meters too short.

「メートル」 and 「メーター」 both give the unit of length; 拍子 is musical time and rhythm; 韻律 is the metre of a poem. Choose by whether you mean measurement, music, or verse.

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

• メートルmetre (unit of length)
• 拍子ひょうしtime
• 韻律いんりつmetre (of a poem)
• 音律おんりつmetre
• メーターmetre (unit of length)
• Ｍエムmetre
• 調ちょうmeter (of a poem)