はかる (測る・計る・量る): One Verb, Many Meanings (with Examples)

One sound, several kanji

Open a dictionary for はかる and you'll see a row of different kanji staring back: 測る, 計る, 量る, and even 図る and 諮る. It looks intimidating, but here's the comforting part — the three everyday ones all mean basically the same thing: to measure. The word is the same; only the kanji changes to tell the reader what kind of measuring is happening.

Think of はかる as one verb that swaps outfits depending on the job:

• 測る = measuring through space — how long, how far, how deep, how fast, how hot.
• 計る = measuring time or numbers — counting minutes, gauging timing.
• 量る = measuring mass and volume — how heavy, how much liquid.

Hold the single image "find out the size of something" in your head, and the kanji becomes a label you attach based on the thing being measured — not three separate words to memorize.

One structural note before the meanings: はかる is transitive (you do it to something), and it's a Group 1 (う-)verb. That means it follows the う→って pattern: 測る → 測って, 計る → 計って, 量る → 量って. The negative is 測らない, and the polite form is 測ります.

The meanings, most common first

1. To measure length / distance / depth (測る)

2. To measure height (測る)

3. To measure temperature (測る)

4. To measure / count time (計る)

5. To gauge timing / a chance (計る)

6. To measure weight (量る)

7. To measure weight of an object (量る)

8. To measure volume / capacity (量る)

A quick rule of thumb: if a tape measure or thermometer would help, it's 測る. If a clock or counter is involved, it's 計る. If a scale or measuring cup is involved, it's 量る.

Common collocations worth memorizing

Some はかる phrases are fixed enough that the kanji choice is settled — learn the chunk and the kanji together:

Kanji & related はかる verbs

The three workhorse kanji each own a domain:

• 測る — distance, length, depth, speed, temperature (anything measured across space or on a scale).
• 計る — time and numbers; also gauging timing or a situation.
• 量る — weight, volume, capacity (anything measured by mass or amount).

A handy memory hook: 計 contains the radical for "speak/count" (言) and appears in 時計 (clock), so it's the time and counting one. 量 looks heavy and stacked, and it appears in 重量 (weight), so it's the weight and volume one. 測 has the water radical (氵) and shows up in 測定 (measurement) and 予測 (prediction), so it's the broad spatial measuring one.

Two more はかる verbs exist, but both are N1 — just know they're out there:

• 図る (はかる, N1) — to plan, to attempt, to work toward. Example: 解決を図る = to try to solve / seek a solution.
• 諮る (はかる, N1) — to consult, to refer a matter to (a committee).

At N5–N3, focus entirely on 測る / 計る / 量る. If you're ever unsure which to write, leaving はかる in kana is completely natural and very common in casual writing — natives do it all the time precisely because the three are easy to mix up.

測る vs 計る vs 量る — which kanji?

The verb is identical; the kanji is chosen by what you measure. This is the whole game:

A neat way to feel it: ask "what tool would I reach for?" A ruler or thermometer points to 測る, a clock or counter points to 計る, and a scale or measuring cup points to 量る. When in doubt, write はかる in kana and you're never wrong.

Quick recap

• One verb, one image: find out the size of something by measuring it.
• The kanji is picked by what you measure: 測る (length/distance/temperature), 計る (time/numbers), 量る (weight/volume).
• It's a transitive Group 1 (う-)verb: う→って, so 測る → 測って.
• 図る (to plan) and 諮る (to consult) are different N1 verbs — learn them later.
• Unsure which kanji? Writing はかる in kana is natural and safe.

Your turn

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