godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Only when written 測る
Used for finding a physical value such as length, depth, distance, temperature, speed, area, or boundaries. 測る is the safest spelling for this objective measuring sense.
体温を測ってから受付に来てください。
Please measure your temperature before coming to reception.
業者が土地の面積を測った。
The contractor measured the area of the land.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
weigh; measure an amount
Only when written 量る
Used when determining weight, volume, or quantity. 量る is especially natural with food, ingredients, luggage, and amounts.
小麦粉を200グラム量る。
Measure out 200 grams of flour.
空港で荷物の重さを量った。
I weighed my luggage at the airport.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
time; measure duration
Only when written 計る
Used for timing or measuring how long something takes. 計る is especially common with 時間 and タイム.
ストップウォッチでタイムを計った。
I timed it with a stopwatch.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Figurative use for judging someone’s feelings, intentions, or a situation from clues. 測る, 計る, and 量る may all appear depending on what nuance the writer wants, but 推し量る is often more explicit for sympathetic or careful inference.
彼の言葉だけで真意を測るのは難しい。
It is hard to infer his true intention from his words alone.
相手の表情から気持ちをはかる。
I gauge the other person’s feelings from their expression.