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機 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
機jīdesk; machine; moment, opportunityx, 16 strokes, radical 木
jī(ji1)ji T1
  1. 1desk; machine; moment, opportunity
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March 24, 2026

機jī(ji1)

The character 機 (jī) primarily means 'machine' or 'mechanism', referring to devices that operate through mechanical processes. It can also denote 'opportunity' or 'moment', emphasizing the fleeting nature of chances that arise in life. This character is commonly used in various contexts, from technology to expressions related to timing and seizing opportunities.

Strokes16Radical木
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of seizing opportunities is significant, often expressed through proverbs and sayings. The character 機 also relates to traditional Chinese mechanical inventions, reflecting the rich history of innovation and craftsmanship in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant machine (機) with gears turning rapidly, representing the movement and mechanics behind it. The character is made of 木 (wood) and 機, suggesting that it is a 'wooden machine.' Picture a craftsman using wood to create intricate machines, linking the visual form to its meaning and sound.

Meanings of 機

jī(ji1)
1desk; machine; moment, opportunity
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 機

機Simplified
16Strokes
木Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 機

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Podcast: 機

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AI Study Notes for 機

Quick Contrast

機 (jī) vs 器 (qì) — use 機 for machines/mechanisms, while 器 refers to tools or utensils.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 機 with its homophones. It's important to remember that while 機 can refer to machines, it also has metaphorical uses related to opportunities. Common collocations include 機會 (jīhuì - opportunity) and 機械 (jīxiè - machinery), which help clarify its usage in different contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 機 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary, students at HSK level 3 and above should recognize its relevance in technical contexts and idiomatic expressions. Focus on understanding its various meanings and practice using it in sentences to enhance retention.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 機 in contexts where another character would be more appropriate, such as using it to refer to 'opportunity' without recognizing its nuances. For example, saying '我没有機会' (wǒ méiyǒu jīhuì) is correct, but using '機' alone can lead to confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 機

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Etymology of 機

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 機. Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 幾 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

A table 幾 made of wood 木; 幾 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 機?

Decomposition of 機

IDS Structure⿰木幾
機Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
幾ji3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 機?

How to say desk; machine; moment, opportunity in Chinese

“desk; machine; moment, opportunity” in Chinese is機jī

The character 機 (jī) primarily means 'machine' or 'mechanism', referring to devices that operate through mechanical processes. It can also denote 'opportunity' or 'moment', emphasizing the fleeting nature of chances that arise in life. This character is commonly used in various contexts, from technology to expressions related to timing and seizing opportunities.

When to use 機

Learners often confuse 機 with its homophones. It's important to remember that while 機 can refer to machines, it also has metaphorical uses related to opportunities. Common collocations include 機會 (jīhuì - opportunity) and 機械 (jīxiè - machinery), which help clarify its usage in different contexts.

機 or something close to it

機 (jī) vs 器 (qì) — use 機 for machines/mechanisms, while 器 refers to tools or utensils.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 機 in contexts where another character would be more appropriate, such as using it to refer to 'opportunity' without recognizing its nuances. For example, saying '我没有機会' (wǒ méiyǒu jīhuì) is correct, but using '機' alone can lead to confusion.

Write 機

機

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

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Word Family of 機

Words Containing This Character20
机会jīhuìchance機會
机Jīmachine機
飞机fēijīairplane飛機
机构jīgòumechanism機構
手机shǒujīcell phone手機
司机sījīchauffeur司機
机制jīzhìmachine made機製
机场jīchǎngairport機場
机关jīguāngear機關
机器jīqìmachine機器
危机wēijīcrisis危機
机器人jīqìrénrobot機器人
时机shíjīoccasion時機
相机xiàngjīat the opportune moment相機
机械jīxièmachine機械
动机dòngjīmotor動機
计算机jìsuànjīcomputer計算機
直升机zhíshēngjīhelicopter直升機
机密jīmìsecret機密
摄像机shèxiàngjīvideo camera攝像機
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 機

What does 机会 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 機

Common phrases include 機會 (jīhuì - opportunity) and 機械 (jīxiè - machinery).

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