機械 (きかい, kikai) Japanese meaning: machine

機械 (きかい, kikai) Japanese meaning: machine | Kotomora

Kanji

機loom, mechanism, machine
械contraption, fetter, machine
器utensil, vessel, receptacle

Related words· 6

器き具ぐN2sense 1
器具 refers to simple tools or utensils without complex moving parts, while 機械 implies a more complex, power-driven machine.
装そう置ちN3sense 1
装置 refers broadly to equipment or a system of components, while 機械 emphasizes the mechanical, moving-parts aspect of a device.
機き器き sense 1
機器 is a formal umbrella term covering machines and electronic equipment together, while 機械 focuses on mechanical devices specifically.
マシン
マシン is a loanword often used for modern, sleek, or specialized devices (including race cars), while 機械 is the traditional, all-purpose Japanese word for machine.

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機きN2
機械 is a full noun meaning machine or machinery, while 機 is typically used as a suffix in specific machine names.
工こう作さく機き械かい
機械 is the general word for any machine, while 工作機械 specifically means an industrial machine tool used to cut or shape materials.

Don't confuse with

機き会かいN4
機械 (machine) and 機会 (opportunity, chance) are pronounced identically but have completely unrelated meanings.

Counted with

台だいN4
stand; base; platform; table; rack · setting (of a gem); mounting · stock (in grafting) · counter for machines and vehicles · level; mark; range; decade (of one's life) · tall building (with a fine view); observation platform · plateau; heights

Word family· 71

機き械かい化か
mechanization; automation
機き械かい学がく
mechanics
機き械かい室しつ
machine room; machinery room; engine room
機き械かい工こう
machinist; mechanic

Written forms

機き械かいUsage98%
Standard kanji spelling for general machines and mechanisms.
器き械かいUsage2%
Often used for smaller instruments, appliances, and apparatus, especially in medical or scientific contexts.

Etymology

From Middle Chinese 機械 (kˠiᴇ kˠiᴇiH), meaning 'machine' or 'mechanism'. The spelling 器械 is a variant with 械 replaced by 器 ('vessel, tool'), emphasizing the instrumental aspect.

機き械かい

Meanings

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