Definitions

(noun) machine; engine
(noun) opportunity
(noun) aircraft
(noun) crucial point; key element

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character 机, meaning machine or opportunity, is a simplified form of the traditional 機. Its structure combines the semantic wood radical 木 with the phonetic component 几. The traditional character 機 paired 木 with the phonetic element 幼, originally denoting the intricate wooden mechanism of a weaving loom. From this specific wooden device, the core meaning expanded to encompass any complex mechanical apparatus, engine, or system. This semantic development mirrors technological progress from wooden tools to modern machinery. The concept further abstracted to signify a critical triggering point, yielding meanings like a crucial moment, turning point, or opportunity, thus linking the character to both physical technology and abstract timing.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一架飞

Zhè shì yī jià fēijī.

This is an airplane.

我的手坏了。

Wǒ de shǒujī huài le.

My phone is broken.

他抓住了好会。

Tā zhuāzhù le hǎo jīhuì.

He seized a good opportunity.

场里有很多人。

Jīchǎng lǐ yǒu hěn duō rén.

There are many people at the airport.

器人的技术很先进。

Jīqìrén de jìshù hěn xiānjìn.

Robot technology is very advanced.

智地解决了问题。

Tā jīzhì de jiějué le wèntí.

She cleverly solved the problem.

这个关的设计非常巧妙。

Zhège jīguān de shèjì fēicháng qiǎomiào.

The design of this mechanism is very ingenious.

在危中寻找转需要智慧。

Zài wēijī zhōng xúnzhǎo zhuǎnjī xūyào zhìhuì.

Finding a turnaround in a crisis requires wisdom.