物差(ものさ)し

物差(ものさ)し has both a literal meaning (ruler) and a figurative meaning (standard for judgment).

COMPONENTS:

• 物(もの): thing
• 差(さ)し: from 差す(さす) (to apply, to put on)

LITERAL USE:
A flat stick marked with units for measuring length, typically used in schools.

FIGURATIVE USE:

A criterion or yardstick for evaluating things.

• 自分(じぶん)の物差(ものさ)し: one's own standards
• 物差(ものさ)しで測(はか)る: to measure by a standard

RELATED WORDS:

• 定規(じょうぎ): ruler (often for drawing straight lines)
• 巻(ま)き尺(じゃく): measuring tape

NOTE:
物差(ものさ)し emphasizes measuring, while 定規(じょうぎ) emphasizes drawing straight lines. In practice, they often refer to the same tool.