計る

• Reading: はかる
• Romaji: hakaru
• Kanji breakdown: 計 (hakaru/kei) — measure, calculate, plan
• Pronunciation: /ha.ka.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To measure; to weigh; to gauge. To determine a quantity or value through measurement.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb conjugated with the る row. One of several homophones: 計る (measure time, calculate), 測る (measure length/temperature), 量る (measure weight/volume), and 図る (plan/attempt). All read はかる but differ in nuance. 計る is the most general and often used when the specific measurement type is unclear. Common expressions: 時間を計る (time something), タイミングを計る (gauge timing).

Examples

1. ストップウォッチで走る時間を計った。 I timed my run with a stopwatch.
2. 料理をするときは材料の量をきちんと計る。 When cooking, I carefully measure the ingredients.
3. タイミングを計って相手にパスを出した。 I timed it just right and passed the ball to my teammate.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, sports, science

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 計 combines 言 (words/speech) and 十 (ten), originally meaning to count or reckon numerically. Over time, it extended to all forms of measurement and calculation.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal