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道Nihongo Path
械

械·machine, appliance

On-yomi
カイ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

11 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
機械きかいmachine, machinery
器械きかいinstrument, apparatus
機械的きかいてきmechanical, automatic
器械体操きかいたいそうapparatus gymnastics

Example sentences

  1. 工場に新しい機械が入った。

    こうじょうにあたらしいきかいがはいった。

    New machinery was installed in the factory.

  2. 彼の返事は機械的で冷たかった。

    かれのへんじはきかいてきでつめたかった。

    His reply was mechanical and cold.

  3. この器械は病院で使われている。

    このきかいはびょういんでつかわれている。

    This apparatus is used in hospitals.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 機械 (a powered machine) with 器械 (a simple instrument) — both are きかい
  • Using 械 on its own; in modern Japanese it appears almost only in compounds

Memory aid

Picture it

Wood (木) plus a guarded weapon (戒) — a contraption built to work and to be handled with care.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 械 mean?