The Meaning of hakaru [計る] In Japanese

計る
はかる
Romaji: hakaru N5

What does 計る mean?

Translation and Meaning

to measure, to time, to count, to gauge, to weigh

Definition

計る means to determine a quantity or duration by using a measuring method or instrument, applying a process to obtain a numeric result and, more broadly, to assess or estimate an aspect of something.

Type

verb (godan)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • to measure the size, amount, or weight of something using a tool or instrument
  • to time or gauge the duration of an event or action
  • to assess or estimate an attribute, such as popularity or risk
  • to count or tally items or occurrences

Usage

Used with tools and units to express measurement, time, or counting; supports formal and casual speech, and appears in common phrases such as 時間を計る and 人数を計る.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a clock and a ruler working together while you speak the number aloud to time and measure an event, reinforcing the dual sense of 計る.

Variations

  • 測る (はかる) to measure with an instrument, typically for length, height, or volume; romaji hakaru
  • 量る (はかる) to weigh or quantify; romaji hakaru

Example Phrases

  • 朝、体重を計るために体重計に乗る。
    asa, taijū o hakaru tame ni taijūkei ni noru.
    In the morning, I step on the scale to weigh myself.
    Lista:
    • 朝 (asa) – morning
    • 体重 (taijū) – body weight
    • を (wo) – object marker
    • 計る (hakaru) – to measure
    • ために (tame ni) – for the purpose of / in order to
    • 体重計 (taijūkei) – scale
    • に (ni) – to / on (particle)
    • 乗る (noru) – to get on
    The core grammar point is 「計る」 meaning ‘to measure’ used with the object 「体重」 as 「体重を計る」; 「ために」 marks purpose.
計る