器
utensil, vessel, receptacle, implement, instrument, ability, container, tool, set
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
Kun'yomi
- うつわ
Meaning
器 centers on a physical object that holds or does something: a container, utensil, or tool. The ability sense extends this idea to a person's capacity to hold or perform a role.
Most common words using 器
24 of 804- 器うつわN2
bowl; vessel; container
- 武器ぶきN2
weapon; arms; ordnance
- 兵器へいきN1
arms; weapon; ordnance
- 機器きき
device; equipment; machinery; apparatus
- 楽器がっきN2
musical instrument
- 容器ようきN3
container; receptacle; vessel; packaging
- 器具きぐN2
utensil; implement; tool; instrument; appliance; apparatus
- 核兵器かくへいきN1
nuclear weapon
- 臓器ぞうき
internal organs; viscera
- 食器しょっきN3
tableware
- 器用きようN3
skillful; skilful; adroit; dexterous; dextrous; deft; nimble; handy
- 不器用ぶきようN3
clumsy; awkward; unskillful
- 土器どき
earthenware
- 器官きかんN1
organ
- 凶器きょうき
dangerous weapon; lethal weapon; deadly weapon; murder weapon
- 陶器とうきN1
pottery; earthenware; ceramics; (soft-paste) porcelain; china
- 石器せっき
stone implement (e.g. stone age arrowheads); stone tool
- 銃器じゅうき
small arms
- 泌尿器ひにょうき
urinary organs
- 計器けいきN1
meter; gauge
- 陶磁器とうじき
ceramics; pottery and porcelain
- 火器かき
firearms; guns
- 補聴器ほちょうき
hearing aid
- 鈍器どんき
blunt weapon
Study
Etymology
器 combines 哭 (a dog-like shape with mouths) and 吅 (two mouths), historically suggesting a vessel or container with multiple openings. The exact development is uncertain, but the vessel meaning is well established.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 哭 looks like a dog with four mouths, and the bottom 吅 adds two more mouths. Picture a complex vessel with many openings, like a multi-spouted container or a tool with several ports.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, imagine a key-shaped tool fitting into a special container: key -> キ, and the key unlocks the vessel's many openings.