Meaning
Whether you are checking your watch, splitting a restaurant bill, or mapping out a career path, you will encounter 計. At its core, this character represents the act of quantifying information or organizing a sequence of actions. It combines two elements: the radical 言 (speech/words) on the left and the character 十 (ten) on the right.
Think of it as the oral tradition of arithmetic. In ancient times, counting often meant reciting numbers aloud, with "ten" serving as the natural base for a completed unit. Over time, the concept of "counting" expanded into "planning." After all, you cannot devise a strategy until you have measured your resources. Today, this kanji appears in everything from high-level statistics to the pedometer on your smartphone.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main on'yomi is ケイ (kei). This is the workhorse reading for compounds involving measurement tools, mathematical totals, and strategic design. It is highly consistent and rarely deviates from this pronunciation.
- 時計 (tokei) — Watch, clock (Note: This is a special reading called jukujikun).
- 計画 (keikaku) — Plan, project, schedule.
- 合計 (goukei) — Sum total, total amount.
- 計算 (keisan) — Calculation, reckoning.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The most common native reading is はか.る (haka.ru). In written Japanese, you must be careful with context. While three different kanji share the reading "hakaru," they are not interchangeable:
- 計る: Used for time or numerical totals (e.g., timing a race).
- 測る: Used for dimensions like depth, length, or width.
- 量る: Used for weight or volume (e.g., weighing ingredients).
A secondary reading, はか.らう (haka.rau), refers to managing or arranging a situation discreetly.
- 計らい (hakarai) — Arrangement, discretion, or management.
- 取り計らう (torihakarau) — To manage, settle, or arrange a matter.
Common Words & Compounds
1. Tools and Devices (-meter)
In this context, the suffix -計 (kei) functions like the English suffix "-meter."
- 体温計 (taionkei) — Medical thermometer.
- 体重計 (taijuukei) — Weighing scales for people.
- 万歩計 (manpokei) — Pedometer (literally: 10,000-steps-meter).
2. Finance and Arithmetic
- 会計 (kaikei) — Finance, accounting, or "the bill" at a restaurant.
- 家計 (kakei) — Household finances or family budget.
- 小計 (shoukei) — Subtotal.
3. Strategy and Design
- 設計 (sekkei) — Design or blueprint (common in engineering).
- 統計 (toukei) — Statistics.
- 生計 (seikei) — Livelihood (e.g., "to earn a living").
Example Sentences
すみません、お会計をお願いします。
Sumimasen, o-kaikei o onegaishimasu.
Excuse me, the check please.
この時計は５分すすんでいます。
Kono tokei wa go-fun susunde imasu.
This clock is five minutes fast.
体温計で熱を計りました。
Taionkei de netsu o hakarimashita.
I checked my temperature with a thermometer.
計算が間違っているようです。
Keisan ga machigatte iru you desu.
It looks like the calculation is wrong.
将来の設計をしっかり考えましょう。
Shourai no sekkei o shikkari kangaemashou.
Let's think carefully about the plan for your future.
Related Kanji
- 短 — Short, brief, defect (Kanji N4)
- 度 — Degree, Time, Occurrence (Kanji N4)
- 明 — Bright, Clear, Light (Kanji N4)
- 近 — Near, Close, Recent (Kanji N4)
- 春 — Spring (Kanji N4)
- 終 — End, Finish, Conclude (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
Look at the components: 言 (words) and 十 (ten). Visualize a shopkeeper counting their inventory. They speak the numbers aloud until they reach ten. This simple act of counting to ten with words is the beginning of every calculation and every plan.