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械 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
xièapplianceHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #30651, Very Hard
xiètoolHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #30651, Very Hard
xièweaponHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #30651, Very Hard
xièshacklesHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #30651, Very Hard
xièalso pr. [jiè]HSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #30651, Very Hard
xièweapons; tools; instrumentsHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #30651, Very Hard
xièalso pr. [jie4]HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #30651, Very Hard
xiè(xie4) T4
  1. 1appliance
  2. 2tool
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

xiè(xie4)

The character 械 (xiè) refers to tools, appliances, or instruments used in various contexts, such as mechanical devices or weapons. It can also imply shackles, indicating restraint or control. This word is commonly used in technical or formal discussions about machinery and equipment.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#30651DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The use of the character 械 is often associated with traditional craftsmanship in China, where tools and instruments have played a significant role in agriculture and artisan work. Understanding this character can provide insight into the importance of tools in Chinese history and daily life.

Memory Tip

Think of 械 (xiè) as a 'toolkit' — the radical 木 (mù) represents wood, suggesting that many tools are made from wood or involve wood. Picture a toolbox filled with various tools and appliances that help you accomplish tasks, thus connecting the character to its meaning.

Meanings of 械

xiè(xie4)
1appliance
2tool
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 械

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#30651Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 械

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Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 械

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 械 (xiè) as a 'toolkit' — the radical 木 (mù) represents wood, suggesting that many tools are made from wood or involve wood. Picture a toolbox filled with various tools and appliances that help you accomplish tasks, thus connecting the character to its meaning.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 械 with similar-sounding words due to its pronunciation. It is typically used in more formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include '工具械' (gōngjùxiè - tool equipment) and '武器械' (wǔqìxiè - weaponry).

HSK Study Tips

This character is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects to other HSK words related to tools and instruments. Students should focus on recognizing how 械 fits into broader discussions about technology and equipment, especially in technical language.

Cultural Note

The use of the character 械 is often associated with traditional craftsmanship in China, where tools and instruments have played a significant role in agriculture and artisan work. Understanding this character can provide insight into the importance of tools in Chinese history and daily life.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is to confuse 械 (xiè) with similar-sounding words like 些 (xiē) or 界 (jiè). For example, saying '我需要些工具' (wǒ xūyào xiē gōngjù - I need some tools) instead of using 械, which is more formal. Ensure to use 械 when discussing technical equipment.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 械

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Etymology of 械

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 戒 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 械?

Decomposition of 械

IDS Structure⿰木戒
Full Character
=
Mu4
left
jie4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 械?

Write 械

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 械

械 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

数年前,艾莱的农场就实现了机____化。

Mechanization happened years ago on the farms of Islay.

Example Sentences for 械 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
数年前,艾莱的农场就实现了机械化。

shù nián qián, , ài lái de nóng cháng jiù shí xiàn le jī xiè。

Mechanization happened years ago on the farms of Islay.
2
英国皇家空军表彰他是一名非常能干的机械师。

yīng guó huáng jiā kōng jūn biǎo zhāng tā shì yī míng fēi cháng néng gān de jī xiè shī。

The RAF recognized him as an out-standingly able engineer.
3
他精通机械,了解许多有关声音的知识。

tā jīng tōng jī xiè, , le jiě xǔ duō yǒu guān shēng yīn de zhī。

He was a very mechanical person, who knew a lot about sound.
4
我好几个小时都在机械地往墙上打网球。

wǒ hǎo jī gè xiǎo shí dū zài jī xiè dì wǎng qiáng shàng dǎ wǎng qiú。

I spent many hours mindlessly banging a tennis ball against the wall.
5
他生来就是个有设计天赋的机械师。

tā shēng lái jiù shì gè yǒu shè jì tiān fù de jī xiè shī。

He was a born mechanic with a flair for design.
6
让守法的人持有枪械并不会惹麻烦。

ràng shǒu fǎ de rén chí yǒu qiāng xiè bìng bù huì rě má fán。

Gun ownership by law-abiding people was not a problem.
7
数据记录仪还能迅速查明机械故障,减少维修次数。

shù jù jì lù yí huán néng xùn sù chá míng jī xiè gù zhàng, , jiǎn shǎo wéi xiū cì。

Data recorders also pin-point mechanical faults rapidly, reducing repair times.
8
在报关单上,寄货人将货物列为农用机械。

zài bào guān dān shàng, , jì huò rén jiāng huò wù liè wéi nóng yòng jī。

On the customs declaration, the sender labeled the freight as agricultural machinery.
9
他的外科手术器械是一把刀和一把钳子。

tā de wài kē shǒu shù qì xiè shì yī bǎ dāo hé yī bǎ qián zǐ。

His surgical instruments were a knife and a pair of pincers.
10
男孩和女孩会喜欢摆弄各种机械装置。

nán hái hé nǚ hái huì xǐ huān bǎi nòng gè zhǒng jī xiè zhuāng zhì。

Boys and girls will enjoy messing about with any kind of machine.

Cultural Notes for 械

🏮Cultural insight

The use of the character 械 is often associated with traditional craftsmanship in China, where tools and instruments have played a significant role in agriculture and artisan work. Understanding this character can provide insight into the importance of tools in Chinese history and daily life.

Word Family of 械

Words Containing This Character14
机械jīxièmachine機械
器械qìxièapparatus
枪械firearm槍械
xiètool
机械化to mechanize機械化
持械armed (robbery etc)
机械师mechanic機械師
缴械to disarm繳械
械斗armed confrontation械鬥
机械工程mechanical engineering機械工程
机械性mechanical機械性
警械police gear
机械能mechanical energy機械能
中国精密机械进出口公司China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC)中國精密機械進出口公司
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 机械 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 械

In everyday language, 械 refers to tools or appliances, often used in technical or formal contexts.