Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 機 / 机 | jī |
| 機器 / 机器 | jīqì |
| 機械 / 机械 | jīxiè |
| 器械 | qìxiè |
In Chinese, several terms can be used to describe a mechanical or electrical device depending on whether you are referring to a single machine, a collective concept or specialized tools. To say 'a machine' in a general sense, the standard noun is 機器 / 机器.
What does it mean word for word?
The single character 機 / 机 acts as a root meaning 'machine', 'engine' or 'mechanism'. It is frequently used as a component in compound words for specific types of machines, such as the word for airplane.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on your specific meaning: 機器 / 机器 is the most common way to refer to a general machine or mechanical device in daily conversation. 機械 / 机械 is often used to refer to machinery as a collective concept or to the field of mechanics, rather than a single specific device. 器械 refers to specialized tools or instruments, such as medical instruments or surgical tools, rather than a general-purpose machine.
How do you pronounce it?
jī
Did you know?
- The character 機 can also mean 'secret' or 'critical point' in phrases like 機密 for 'confidential'. This stems from the idea of the 'hidden trigger' inside a mechanical device.
- In Chinese, the word for 'opportunity' or 'chance' is also written as 機 / 机, meaning a machine can metaphorically represent a turning point or a mechanism of fate.
- The character 機 / 机 contains the radical for 'wood' (木), which reflects the historical origins of machines as wooden mechanisms or looms.
Examples in context
- 我们需要买一台新的机器。(Wǒmen xūyào mǎi yī tái xīn de jīqì.)We need to buy a new machine.
- 这些设备被用于汽车制造。(Zhèxiē shèbèi bèi yòngyú qìchē zhìzào.)These machines are used in car manufacturing.
- 他们正在使用新型的医疗器械。(Tāmen zhèngzài shǐyòng xīn xíng de yīliáo qìxiè.)They are using new medical equipment.
- 这个装置是用来处理废料的。(Zhège zhuāngzhì shì yònglái chǔlǐ fèiliào de.)This machine is used to process waste.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “machine” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 機, 機械, CC BY-SA 4.0.
