図る・謀る|はかるhakaru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
図る図る（はかる） is the more common written form and the natural first choice for beginners; you will encounter it in writing.
謀る謀る（はかる） is less common than 図る（はかる）; recognize it as a written variant, but do not choose it as your default.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto plan; to attempt; to devise
- godan verb, transitive verbto plot; to conspire; to schemeesp. 謀る
- godan verb, transitive verbto aim for; to strive for; to work towards; to seek
- godan verb, transitive verbto deceive; to trick; to take in
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 図る（はかる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 図ります（はかります） |
| Negative (nai) | 図らない（はからない） |
| polite (masen) | 図りません（はかりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 図らず・図らぬ（はからず・はからぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 図った（はかった） |
| polite (mashita) | 図りました（はかりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 図らなかった（はからなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 図りませんでした（はかりませんでした） |
| Te form | 図って（はかって） |
| Potential | 図れる（はかれる） |
| Passive | 図られる（はかられる） |
| Causative | 図らせる（はからせる） |
| Causative passive | 図らせられる・図らされる（はからせられる・はからされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 図れば（はかれば） |
| tara | 図ったら（はかったら） |
| Volitional | 図ろう（はかろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 図りましょう（はかりましょう） |
| Imperative | 図れ（はかれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym画策かくさくWrittenWritten/formal prose. Schemes and maneuvers behind the scenes, usually with a bad nuance; 「図る」 is about finding ways to achieve a goal.
- Synonym企画きかくNeutralNeutral. Planning events, products and the like, as in 「企画書」; 「図る」 is about finding ways to achieve something.
- Synonym仕組むしくむNeutralNeutral. Secretly arranging or setting something up in advance, as in 「罠を仕組む」; 「図る」 is about seeking to realize a goal.
- Synonym企てるくわだてるNeutralNeutral. Plots or undertakes something, from mere planning to setting it in motion, as in 「反乱を企てる」; often has a scheming nuance, while 「図る」 is more neutral.
- Synonym計画けいかくNeutralNeutral. A noun for a plan; 「図る」 is a verb about finding ways to achieve something.
- SynonymたくらむNeutralNeutral in register, but derogatory in sense: it means scheming tricks or bad deeds; 「図る」 is more neutral.
- Synonym企図きとWrittenWritten/formal prose. An intention or attempt to do something; in everyday speech 「計画」 or 「意図」 is more natural.
- Synonym策謀さくぼうWrittenWritten/formal prose. Schemes and trickery, with a bad nuance; 「図る」 is more neutral.
- Synonym謀議ぼうぎWrittenWritten/formal prose. Conferring together on a plot or plan; in law it means conspiring to commit a crime. 「図る」 is more neutral.
- Synonym目論むもくろむNeutralNeutral. Plots and schemes in one's head, as in 「一攫千金を目論む」; 「図る」 is about actively pursuing a goal.
- SynonymたくむWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare. Devises with ingenuity or originality, and can also mean plotting; 「図る」 is about finding ways to achieve a goal.
- Synonym策するさくするWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare. Works out a stratagem or plan; in everyday speech one says 「計画する」.
- SynonymたばかるWrittenWritten/formal prose. Read 「たばかる」 and now archaic; it means scheming to deceive people, while 「図る」 usually refers to legitimate pursuits.
- Related構想こうそうNeutralNeutral. A broad, big-picture conception or vision; 「図る」 is about working to achieve a goal.
- Related設計せっけいNeutralNeutral. Designing buildings, systems or one's life, as in 「人生設計」; 「図る」 is about seeking to realize a goal.
- Related意図いとNeutralNeutral. A noun for an intention or aim; 「図る」 is a verb about working to achieve something.
- Related立案りつあんNeutralNeutral. Drafting or drawing up a plan or policy, as in 「政策立案」; 「図る」 is about seeking to realize a goal.
- Related魂胆こんたんCasualColloquial. A shady ulterior motive or hidden scheme, as in 「魂胆が見え見え」; 「図る」 is more neutral.
Use 「図る」 for finding ways to achieve a goal, as in 「解決を図る」 or 「便宜を図る」. For planning events or products choose 「企画」; for secretly setting something up, 「仕組む」; for plotting bad deeds, 「企む」; for undertaking or plotting something, 「企てる」. 「計画」「構想」「設計」「意図」 and 「立案」 are nouns for plans, visions, designs, intentions and drafts. 「目論む」 is scheming in one's head, and 「魂胆」 a shady ulterior motive. The rest — 「画策」「企図」「巧む」「策する」「謀る」「策謀」「謀議」 — are written or rare words, mostly with scheming or negative nuances.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
