Meet 機 in everyday devices and in the less concrete idea of an opportunity.
The idea
機 has 16 strokes; use the linked diagram to practise their order. Its reading き appears in 機械（きかい）, 飛行機（ひこうき） and 機能（きのう）. Learn each compound as a whole.
Examples
- この機械は使いやすいです。This machine is easy to use.
- 服を洗濯機に入れました。I put the clothes in the washing machine.
- 飛行機で大阪へ行きました。We went to Osaka by plane.
- 自動販売機で水を買いました。I bought water from a vending machine.
- この携帯電話には便利な機能があります。This phone has a useful function.
- 日本語を話す機会がほしいです。I want an opportunity to speak Japanese.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
機械 and 機会 are both read きかい, but mean machine and opportunity. Context and the second kanji distinguish them.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 機械 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
きかい
機械 is きかい: it means a machine, as in the easy-to-use device.
Write the reading of 機会 in hiragana.
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きかい
機会 is also きかい, but means an opportunity, such as a chance to speak Japanese.
Choose the missing kanji: 飛行＿（ひこうき）［機／木］.
Show answer or example answer
機
機 completes 飛行機（ひこうき）, an airplane; 木 alone does not form this word.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 機械 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 機会 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: 飛行＿（ひこうき）［機／木］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 機 using the diagram, then cover the examples and make a sentence with 機会.