1.
ruler; measuring stick
A flat stick marked with units for measuring length.
物差しで長さを測る。
To measure the length with a ruler.
30センチの物差しを貸してください。
Please lend me a 30-centimeter ruler.
子供が物差しで線を引いている。
The child is drawing a line with a ruler.
2.
standard; yardstick (figurative)
A criterion or standard for judgment.
自分の物差しで人を判断しない。
Don't judge others by your own standards.
成功の物差しは人それぞれだ。
The yardstick for success differs from person to person.
お金だけを物差しにして物事を考えるべきではない。
You shouldn't think about things using money as the only yardstick.
物差し has both a literal meaning (ruler) and a figurative meaning (standard for judgment).
COMPONENTS:
- 物: thing
- 差し: from 差す (to measure)
LITERAL USE:
A flat stick marked with units for measuring length, typically used in schools.
FIGURATIVE USE:
A criterion or yardstick for evaluating things.
- 自分の物差し: one's own standards
- 物差しで測る: to measure by a standard
RELATED WORDS:
- 定規: ruler (often for drawing straight lines)
- 巻き尺: measuring tape
NOTE:
物差し emphasizes measuring, while 定規 emphasizes drawing straight lines. In practice, they often refer to the same tool.