Learn 械 in words for machinery and apparatus. Link the reading to a complete word and its context.

The idea

械 has 11 strokes and its common on-reading is かい. It appears in compounds such as 機械（きかい） and 器械（きかい）. Learn the whole word, including its spelling.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
機械きかいThe factory uses new machines.
器械きかいWe use apparatus in gymnastics.
機械工学きかいこうがくMy older brother studies mechanical engineering at university.

Examples

  • 工場こうじょうでは新あたらしい機械きかいを使つかっています。The factory uses new machines.
  • その機械きかいは昨日きのう故障こしょうしました。The machine broke down yesterday.
  • 機械きかいを操作そうさする前まえに説明書せつめいしょを読よんでください。Please read the instructions before operating the machine.
  • 兄あには大学だいがくで機械工学きかいこうがくを学まなんでいます。My older brother studies mechanical engineering at university.
  • 体操たいそうでは器械きかいを使つかいます。We use apparatus in gymnastics.
  • 整備士せいびしが機械きかいを修理しゅうりしました。The mechanic repaired the machine.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

機械 generally means machinery; 器械 often refers to an instrument or apparatus. Both are read きかい, but are written differently. 機会 also sounds the same and means opportunity.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 機械 in hiragana.

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    きかい

    The reading is きかい. 機械 means machinery, as in the factory sentence.

  2. Write the reading of 器械 in hiragana.

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    きかい

    The reading is きかい. 器械 refers to apparatus, as in the gymnastics sentence.

  3. Choose the missing kanji for machinery: 機＿［械／会］.

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    械

    械 completes 機械, machinery. 機会 has the same reading but means opportunity.

Use it today

Write 械 in stroke order using the linked diagram. Cover the examples, read both compounds, and make a sentence with 機械.