zuru verb, transitive verb
lecture on; expound; read aloud
Formal verb for giving a lecture or orally explaining a subject or text. The 'read aloud' nuance is connected with older or formal contexts where a text is presented aloud and explained.
See also: 講じる (こうじる)
教授は大学院で日本思想史を講ずる。
The professor lectures on the history of Japanese thought in graduate school.
寺では僧が経典を講ずる声が聞こえた。
At the temple, one could hear a monk expounding the sutras aloud.
zuru verb, transitive verb
take measures; devise a strategy; adopt a policy
Common in formal writing and official contexts with objects such as 措置, 対策, 策, 手段, and 方策: to work out, adopt, or implement a measure or plan.
See also: 講じる (こうじる)
政府は被害を抑えるため、緊急措置を講ずる。
The government will take emergency measures to limit the damage.
会社は再発防止策を講ずる必要がある。
The company needs to work out measures to prevent a recurrence.
zuru verb, transitive verb
make peace; reconcile; come to terms
Rare and literary/formal, especially in the set-like expression 和を講ずる, meaning to make peace or settle a conflict.
両国は長い戦争の末、和を講ずることになった。
After a long war, the two countries decided to make peace.
zuru verb, transitive verb
recite poetry at a gathering
Specialized traditional-poetry use: to recite or formally present a poem at a poetry gathering. This is not the everyday verb for simply reading a poem aloud.
歌会の作法では、和歌を講ずるとはその歌を声に出して披露することをいう。
In the etiquette of a poetry gathering, 講ずる a waka means to present that poem aloud.