mechanism; machinery; contrivance; device
Refers to a mechanical device, often with a sense of clever or intricate design. Can be used for physical machines or abstract systems.
Used for a clever trick, scheme, or behind-the-scenes manipulation, often with a negative or suspicious nuance.
mechanical doll; string puppet
Abbreviation of からくり人形. Refers to traditional Japanese mechanical dolls or puppets. Often used in historical or cultural contexts.
See also: からくり人形
The mechanism of this clock is very intricate.
He collects mechanical toys.
That must be his trick.
Expose the tricks behind the election.
Mechanical dolls were performed at the festival.
からくり emphasizes a hidden, ingenious mechanism (often traditional, like a karakuri doll), while 仕掛け is the broader, more general word for any device or trick.
カラクリ often refers to a hidden mechanism or the secret behind how something works, whereas ギミック is a deliberately showcased feature meant to stand out.
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
Katakana spelling, sometimes used for stylistic effect or in technical contexts.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used. This kanji is more commonly read きかん (organization, engine).
The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the verb 絡む (karamu, to entwine) and 繰る (kuru, to reel), suggesting something that moves by winding or intertwining. The kanji forms 絡繰り and 絡繰 reflect this possible derivation, but the exact etymology is unclear.