図(はか)る

はかる
godan verb
to plan; to attempt; to aim for
1. to plan, to scheme, to plot
To devise a plan or strategy to achieve a goal. Can carry a negative nuance of scheming.
脱出(だっしゅつ)を図(はか)る。
To attempt an escape.
自殺(じさつ)を図(はか)ったが未遂(みすい)に終(お)わった。
He attempted suicide but it ended in failure.
犯人(はんにん)は共犯者(きょうはんしゃ)と計画(けいかく)を図(はか)っていた。
The culprit had been scheming with an accomplice.
2. to attempt, to aim for, to strive for
To try to bring about or promote a particular outcome. Common in formal and written contexts.
効率化(こうりつか)を図(はか)る。
To aim for greater efficiency.
地域(ちいき)の活性化(かっせいか)を図(はか)る。
To promote regional revitalization.
政府(せいふ)は経済(けいざい)成長(せいちょう)と環境(かんきょう)保護(ほご)の両立(りょうりつ)を図(はか)っている。
The government is striving for compatibility between economic growth and environmental protection.

USAGE:
Sense 2 (to aim for, to promote) is extremely common in formal writing, news, and government documents. The pattern ～を図(はか)る is a staple of business and policy language. Compare with the homophone 測(はか)る (to measure), which uses a different kanji.

CONJUGATION:

Godan verb (五段動詞(ごだんどうし)), る-ending (godan, not ichidan).

  • Negative: 図(はか)らない
  • Polite: 図(はか)ります
  • Te-form: 図(はか)って
  • Past: 図(はか)った

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 効率化(こうりつか)を図(はか)る: to aim for efficiency
  • 改善(かいぜん)を図(はか)る: to strive for improvement
  • 脱出(だっしゅつ)を図(はか)る: to attempt an escape
  • 活性化(かっせいか)を図(はか)る: to promote revitalization
  • 便宜(べんぎ)を図(はか)る: to provide a favor/convenience

Related Words

Contrast: 測(はか)る
general
Added 2026.2.19 20:46 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:42
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