Translation guide
The English word "scale" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: size/extent, a measuring device, musical scales, and fish scales. It also briefly covers less common meanings like scaling a mountain or scaling an image.
Referring to the relative size, level, or extent of something, often in phrases like "on a large scale" or "the scale of the problem."
The most common and versatile word for "scale" in the sense of size, scope, or magnitude. Used for projects, businesses, events, etc.
そのプロジェクトの規模は大きい。
The scale of that project is large.
事業の規模を拡大する。
Expand the scale of the business.
A loanword from English, often used in similar contexts to 規模, but can sound more modern or casual. Commonly used in phrases like スケールが大きい (large-scale, ambitious).
彼の考え方はスケールが大きい。
His way of thinking is on a grand scale.
Adjectival phrases meaning "large-scale" and "small-scale." Very common and natural.
大規模な災害が発生した。
A large-scale disaster occurred.
小規模な店を経営している。
I run a small-scale shop.
Means "degree" or "extent," often used when "scale" refers to a level on some continuum.
被害の程度はまだ分からない。
The scale of the damage is still unknown.
A device used to measure weight, such as a bathroom scale or kitchen scale.
Specifically a scale for measuring body weight (bathroom scale).
毎朝体重計に乗る。
I get on the scale every morning.
General word for scales or balances, used for weighing ingredients, luggage, etc. Can be written 秤 but often in kana.
The loanword can also mean a scale device, but it's less common and might be confused with other meanings. Use with caution.
体重計 or はかり are more specific and less ambiguous.
A series of musical notes in ascending or descending order.
The standard term for a musical scale.
ピアノで音階を練習する。
Practice scales on the piano.
Also used in music contexts, especially in jazz or popular music. 音階 is more formal/classical.
The small, flat, hard plates covering the skin of fish, snakes, etc.
To climb up or over something steep.
General verb for climbing (mountains, stairs, etc.). For scaling a mountain, this is the most natural choice.
彼はエベレストに登った。
He scaled Everest.
To clamber or scramble up, emphasizing effort and using hands. Good for scaling walls or cliffs.
To change the size of something while maintaining proportions, or to represent in proportion.
縮尺する means to scale down (or up) according to a scale ratio, often used for maps or models. 拡大縮小する is more general for digital images (zoom in/out).
地図を縮尺する。
Scale the map.
画像を拡大縮小する。
Scale the image.
Loanword used in technical contexts (computer graphics, engineering).
この図形をスケーリングする。
Scale this figure.
The ratio between the size of something and its representation, e.g., a 1:100 scale model.
Specifically the scale of a map, drawing, or model. Often used with numbers, e.g., 縮尺100分の1 (1/100 scale).
この地図の縮尺は5万分の1です。
The scale of this map is 1:50,000.
Also used for scale ratios, especially in model building or design.
Both mean "scale" in the sense of size or magnitude. 規模 is more formal and widely used in business, news, and academic contexts. スケール is a loanword that often appears in casual or marketing language (e.g., スケールが違う "on a different scale"). When in doubt, 規模 is safer.
この計画は規模が大きすぎる。
This plan is too large in scale.
あの会社はスケールが違う。
That company is on a different scale.
The loanword スケール is not used for fish or reptile scales. Always use 鱗 (うろこ) for that meaning.
そのプロジェクトは大規模な事業だった。
The project was a large-scale undertaking.
今朝体重計に乗った。
I stepped on the scale this morning.
彼女はバイオリンで音階の練習をした。
She practiced her scales on the violin.
キッチンはかりで小麦粉を量る。
Weigh the flour on a kitchen scale.
荷物をスケールに載せる。
Put the luggage on the scale.
ブルーススケールを覚える。
Learn the blues scale.
塀をよじ登る。
Scale a wall.
1/72スケールの模型飛行機。
A 1/72 scale model airplane.