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機能 (きのう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N3 Freq. Frequency Top 1,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
function ; capability ; feature
Broadly used for the inherent purpose, role, or working of a system, organ, machine, software, or abstract entity. As a suru-verb, it means 'to function' or 'to work'.
肝かん 臓ぞう は 体たい 内ない で 重じゅう 要よう な 機き 能のう を 果は たし て いる 。
The liver performs important functions in the body.
Kanji 機 loom, mechanism, machine Similar words 性せい 能のう 性能 refers to performance or capability, often measurable (e.g., engine performance), while 機能 is about the role or purpose something serves.
作さ 用よう 作用 emphasizes an action or effect (e.g., chemical action), whereas 機能 focuses on the designed or natural role of a system.
Etymology A Sino-Japanese compound of 機 (mechanism, opportunity) and 能 (ability, function). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination has been used since the Meiji era to translate Western concepts of 'function'.
