計る・測る・量る|はかるhakaru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
計る計る（はかる） is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. Use it for meanings including measuring, weighing, surveying, and timing.
測る測る（はかる） is a less common kanji-and-kana written variant of 計る（はかる）. You may encounter it for the same dictionary meanings, but it need not be your default choice.
量る量る（はかる） is a less common kanji-and-kana written variant of 計る（はかる）. You may encounter it for the same dictionary meanings, but it need not be your default choice.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto measure; to weigh; to survey; to time (sound, gauge, estimate)
- godan verb, transitive verbto conjecture; to infer; to surmise
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 計る（はかる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 計ります（はかります） |
| Negative (nai) | 計らない（はからない） |
| polite (masen) | 計りません（はかりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 計らず・計らぬ（はからず・はからぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 計った（はかった） |
| polite (mashita) | 計りました（はかりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 計らなかった（はからなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 計りませんでした（はかりませんでした） |
| Te form | 計って（はかって） |
| Potential | 計れる（はかれる） |
| Passive | 計られる（はかられる） |
| Causative | 計らせる（はからせる） |
| Causative passive | 計らせられる・計らされる（はからせられる・はからされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 計れば（はかれば） |
| tara | 計ったら（はかったら） |
| Volitional | 計ろう（はかろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 計りましょう（はかりましょう） |
| Imperative | 計れ（はかれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym測定そくていNeutralA formal, scientific noun for measuring with instruments, as in 「血圧測定」; it names the act of measuring rather than the verb 計る.
- Synonym測量そくりょうNeutralMeasuring land and distances, as in 「土地の測量」; mainly geographic surveying, though it can also mean gauging or conjecturing.
- Synonym計測けいそくNeutralMeasuring with instruments, as in 「タイム計測」; a technical term with a specialized flavor.
- Synonym実測じっそくWrittenA written word for measuring on site, as in 「実測図」; it contrasts with figures estimated from drawings or simulations.
- Related推し量るおしはかるNeutralTo gauge someone's feelings, as in 「気持ちを推し量る」; it takes only the conjecture sense of 計る, never physical measuring.
- Related評価ひょうかNeutralJudging the value or quality of something; it centers on evaluation, while 計る centers on measuring numerical values.
- Related鑑定かんていNeutralExpert appraisal of authenticity or value, as of art or antiques; it relies on specialist judgment rather than measurement.
- Related査定さていNeutralAssessing and fixing amounts or grades, as in 「保険の査定」; it centers on determining figures, not on measuring.
- Related格付けかくづけNeutralRating people or things into ranks, as in 「格付け会社」; the focus is on grading, not measuring quantities.
- Related見立てるみたてるNeutralTo pick out by eye or to judge and diagnose, as in 「医者の見立て」; it is about selection or judgment, not measurement.
- Related品評ひんぴょうWrittenA written-leaning word for judging the merits of items, as in 「品評会」; it weighs good against bad and never measures.
- Related品定めしなさだめCasualColloquial word for picking over and judging quality, often with a sizing-up air; it weighs merits, not measurements.
- RelatedみなすNeutralTo deem or treat something as such, as in 「欠席とみなす」; it centers on regarding, not on measuring.
- Related考えるかんがえるNeutralThe everyday verb for thinking and considering, with a far broader range; 計る in its conjecture sense comes close to it.
- Related値踏みねぶみCasualColloquial word for appraising value or sizing up a person, often with a scrutinizing nuance; it judges worth, not physical quantities.
- Related推算すいさんWrittenA written word for estimating by calculation; in everyday speech 「見積もる」 is the usual verb.
- Related評定ひょうていWrittenA written word for assessing value, results or rank; it fits both school grading and price assessment.
- Related判ずるはんずるWrittenA written word for judging or divining; in everyday speech 「判断する」 is the normal choice.
For length and distance write 「測る」, for weight and volume 「量る」, and for time and amounts 「計る」. Use 「測定」 for formal instrument measurement, 「測量」 for land surveying, 「推し量る」 for reading someone's mind, 「評価」 for judging value, and 「査定」 for assessing amounts.
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
