Translation guide
The English word 'metre' (or 'meter' in US spelling) refers to a unit of length in the metric system. In Japanese, it is commonly expressed with the loanword メートル. This guide covers how to talk about metres in various contexts, including measurements, distances, and compound units.
メートル
metre (unit of length)
Expressing a specific length in metres, such as height, width, or distance.
The standard Japanese word for 'metre', a loanword from English. Used in all contexts: everyday conversation, science, and official documents.
この部屋の長さは5メートルです。
This room is 5 metres long.
身長は1.7メートルです。
My height is 1.7 metres.
The symbol 'm' is widely understood in Japan, especially in written contexts like signs, technical documents, and labels. When read aloud, it is pronounced メートル.
制限速度は時速50kmです。
The speed limit is 50 km/h.
Expressing area in square metres.
The standard term for 'square metre'. Used in real estate, construction, and everyday contexts.
このアパートの広さは30平方メートルです。
This apartment is 30 square metres.
The symbol for square metre, common in written form. Pronounced へいほうメートル.
床面積は50㎡です。
The floor area is 50 m².
Expressing volume in cubic metres.
The standard term for 'cubic metre'. Used for volumes of liquids, gases, or solids.
この水槽の容量は2立方メートルです。
This tank has a capacity of 2 cubic metres.
The symbol for cubic metre, used in writing. Pronounced りっぽうメートル.
ガスの使用量は10m³です。
The gas usage is 10 m³.
Using metre in units like kilometres, centimetres, etc.
Kilometre. Often abbreviated as キロ in casual speech.
駅まで2キロメートルです。
It's 2 kilometres to the station.
Referring to poetic metre or rhythm.
The Japanese term for poetic metre or rhythm. Used in literary analysis. Not related to the unit of length.
この詩の韻律は複雑です。
The metre of this poem is complex.
In casual conversation, longer metric units are often shortened: キロメートル → キロ, センチメートル → センチ, ミリメートル → ミリ. However, メートル itself is not usually shortened.
The English word 'meter' can also mean a measuring device (e.g., parking meter, gas meter). In Japanese, those are usually メーター (mētā), with a long vowel. Be careful not to mix them up.
プールの長さは25メートルです。
The pool is 25 metres long.
100メートルくらい歩きました。
I walked about 100 metres.
Centimetre. Often abbreviated as センチ in casual speech.
この紙の厚さは0.1センチメートルです。
This paper is 0.1 centimetres thick.
Millimetre. Often abbreviated as ミリ in casual speech.
ネジの直径は5ミリメートルです。
The screw's diameter is 5 millimetres.