メーター
mētā[me̞ːta̠ː]
In Japanese, 'meter' (referring to a measuring instrument) is expressed as メーター (mētā). Wiktionary also lists 計量器 (keiryōki).
Meaning: measuring instrument (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| メーター | mētā | [me̞ːta̠ː] (narrow) |
| 計量器 | keiryōki | [ke̞ːɾʲo̞ːkʲi] (narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
The technical term 計量器 is composed of 計量, meaning measurement and 器, meaning device or instrument.
Which one should you use?
メーター is the common loanword used in everyday conversation for various types of meters, such as speed or electricity meters. In contrast, 計量器 is a formal or technical term used in scientific, industrial or official contexts to refer to a measuring device.
How do you pronounce it?
mētā
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word メーター is used metaphorically to describe a person's emotional state, such as when someone's 'anger meter' is reaching its limit.
- While 計量器 refers to a measuring instrument, the suffix 器 can also refer to a person's innate capacity or talent for a certain skill.
- The formal term 計量器 uses the character 器, which is the same character used for everyday household items like 'dishes' or 'plates'.
Examples in context
- メーターの数字を読んでください。Read the meter.This sentence shows how to use メーター when asking someone to read the numbers.Tatoeba #194674 by small_snow, translation #31847 by CM
- ２ヶ月に１度メーターを検査します。We read the meter once every two months.This sentence demonstrates the frequency of checking a メーター.Tatoeba #235555 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #72934 by CK
- メーターの数字をゆっくりと読んでくれるよう頼んだ。I asked him to slowly read off the numbers on the meter.This sentence illustrates how to request that someone read the numbers on a メーター slowly.Tatoeba #11683073 by small_snow, translation #2004467 by AlanF_US
- この計測機は、1メートル以上の長さを正確に測定します。This measuring device accurately measures lengths of one meter or longer.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are checking the water usage in their house.
- 健太 Kenta水道のメーターが止まっているみたいだよ。Suidō no mētā ga tomatte iru mitai da yo.It looks like the water meter has stopped.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ、全然回っていないね。Hontō da, zenzen mawatte inai ne.You're right, it's not spinning at all.
- 健太 Kenta壊れているのかな？Kowarete iru no kana?I wonder if it's broken?
- 美咲 Misaki一度、管理会社に連絡してみよう。Ichido, kanri kaisha ni renraku shite miyō.Let's try contacting the management company.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “meter” translations and entries メーター, 計量器, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
