Japanese kanji 机: reading and using “desk”

The idea

机 has six strokes and is normally read つくえ as a standalone word. Follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 机の上 means on the desk; 机で marks the place where an activity happens.

Examples

• 机つくえの上うえに本ほんがあります。There is a book on the desk.
• 毎日まいにち机つくえで勉強べんきょうします。I study at my desk every day.
• かばんを机つくえの下したに置おいてください。Please put the bag under the desk.
• この机つくえは木きでできています。This desk is made of wood.
• 子供こどもに新あたらしい机つくえを買かいました。I bought a new desk for my child.
• 教室きょうしつに机つくえが三みっつあります。There are three desks in the classroom.

Watch out

机 usually refers to a desk for work or study; テーブル is a more general table. Do not read 机 as 木（き）, even though it contains the 木 component.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 机 in hiragana.

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   つくえ

   机 is read つくえ. Learn this reading with the whole word for desk.

2. Choose the missing kanji: ＿の上（つくえのうえ）［机／木］.

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   机

   机 completes 机の上（つくえのうえ）, meaning on the desk. 木 alone means tree or wood.

3. Write the particle: 机＿勉強します (I study at a desk).

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   で

   で marks the place of the activity 勉強します: 机で勉強します means “I study at a desk”.

Use it today

Write 机 following the diagram, then cover the examples and say where a book is and where you study.