Translation guide
The English word 'gauge' can refer to measuring instruments, the act of measuring or estimating, or a standard dimension. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
A device that shows a measurement like pressure, fuel level, or speed.
General term for a measuring instrument or gauge. Often used in technical contexts.
ダッシュボードの計器が故障した。
The gauges on the dashboard broke.
Loanword from English, common in technical and everyday contexts for specific gauges (e.g., pressure gauge, fuel gauge).
タイヤの空気圧ゲージを確認してください。
Please check the tire pressure gauge.
Often used for meters that measure flow, speed, or consumption (e.g., gas meter, speedometer).
ガスメーターの数値を記録した。
I recorded the reading on the gas gauge.
To determine the size, amount, or degree of something, often approximately.
General verb for measuring physical dimensions, weight, or quantity.
温度を測ってください。
Please gauge the temperature.
Often used for measuring time, numbers, or with instruments. Similar to 測る but with a nuance of calculation.
To estimate or gauge roughly, often used for costs, time, or quantities.
To judge or gauge a situation, mood, or person's feelings. More about assessment than measurement.
彼の反応を判断するのは難しい。
It's hard to gauge his reaction.
A standard measure of thickness or size, especially for materials like wire or metal sheets.
Used as a noun for standard thickness, e.g., wire gauge. Often combined with a number.
この針金は18ゲージです。
This wire is 18 gauge.
Traditional Japanese term for yarn count or wire gauge, used in textile and some industrial contexts.
The distance between rails on a railway.
Technical term for railway gauge.
日本の鉄道の軌間は狭い。
The gauge of Japanese railways is narrow.
Also used in railway contexts, especially in compound terms like ナローゲージ (narrow gauge).
この路線はナローゲージです。
This line is narrow gauge.
These three verbs are all read はかる but have different nuances. 測る is for physical dimensions (length, height, depth). 計る is for numerical values using instruments (time, speed, weight). 量る is for volume or capacity. For 'gauge' in the sense of measuring, 測る or 計る are most common.
While ゲージ is widely understood, it is not used for the verb 'to gauge' (estimate). Use verbs like 測る or 見積もる instead. Also, for general measuring instruments, 計器 is more natural in formal contexts.
We gauged the time and conducted the experiment.
必要な費用を見積もった。
I gauged the necessary expenses.
This yarn is 40 gauge.