図ります（はかります、hakarimasu）
- to plan

The Japanese verb 図ります, pronounced はかります (hakari-masu) in its polite form, primarily means "to plan," "to intend," "to consider," "to devise," or "to aim for." It implies a conscious effort to achieve a goal or outcome. It suggests a process of thought and deliberation before taking action. The nuance is slightly different from simply "doing" something; it suggests strategizing. It can also have a meaning closer to "to measure" or "to weigh," but this is less common and usually represented by other verbs.

⚫︎ 成功を図ります。 Translation: I will strive for success. ⚫︎ 会議の効率化を図りたいです。 Translation: I want to improve the efficiency of the meeting. ⚫︎ 新しい販売戦略を図ります。 Translation: I will devise a new sales strategy.

This verb is used in situations where you are: ⚫︎ Planning something (a project, a strategy, a change). ⚫︎ Intending to do something. ⚫︎ Trying to achieve a specific result. It’s a formal verb and therefore appropriate for business settings, formal conversations, or written communication. It is also often used in discussing goals or strategies. It would typically be used in the -masu form: 図ります (hakari-masu), 図りました (hakari-mashita), etc. The casual form, 図る (hakaru), is also used.

The word is written as: ⚫︎ Kanji: 図ります ⚫︎ Hiragana: はかります The okurigana (hiragana attached to kanji) is ります. The verb conjugates like a standard ichidan verb. Variations exist in the casual form, 図る (hakaru).

⚫︎ 計画する (keikaku suru) - to plan ⚫︎ 目指す (mezasu) - to aim for ⚫︎ 企てる (kuwadateru) - to plot, to plan (often used in a negative context, but can be neutral) ⚫︎ 検討する (kentou suru) - to consider, to examine ⚫︎ 意図する (ito suru) - to intend

Direct antonyms are not as common, as the meaning is about the process of planning. However, words expressing the opposite of careful planning or achieving a goal might be considered antonymous in context. For example: ⚫︎ 失敗する (shippai suru) - to fail (opposite of achieving a goal) ⚫︎ 放棄する (houki suru) - to abandon (opposite of striving for a goal)

将来のキャリアプランを図り、資格を取得することにしました。 ・Translation: I planned my future career plan and decided to obtain a qualification. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates the planning aspect of the word, where the speaker is actively thinking about their future career.

この問題を解決するために、新しい方法を図ります。 ・Translation: I will devise a new method to solve this problem. ・Explanation: The sentence highlights the strategic and problem-solving aspect of the verb. The speaker is actively looking for a new approach.

The kanji 図 (zu, to) means "drawing," "diagram," "plan," or "map." The verb suffix る (ru) is a common verb ending. Therefore, the etymology suggests the act of creating a plan or mapping out an action. The kanji in its original usage meant "to measure" or "to calculate" which is related to the idea of planning and considering.