Definitions

xiè (noun) mechanical device; tool; machinery
xiè (noun) weapon; arms
xiè (noun) shackles; fetters

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

A phono-semantic compound, 械 uses the wood radical 木 on the left to indicate its material origin, as the objects it denoted were traditionally made of wood. The right component 戒, meaning to guard or warn, serves as the phonetic element while also contributing a sense of defense or restraint. The original meaning referred specifically to wooden fetters for prisoners, but the term gradually expanded to include tools, implements, and weapons, and now encompasses modern machinery and complex instruments as technology introduced new materials and applications beyond wood.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是机零件。

Zhè shì jīxiè língjiàn.

This is a mechanical part.

工厂使用很多器

Gōngchǎng shǐyòng hěnduō qìxiè.

The factory uses a lot of equipment.

他负责维护枪

Tā fùzé wéihù qiāngxiè.

He is responsible for maintaining firearms.

自动化提高了效率。

Jīxiè zìdònghuà tígāo le xiàolǜ.

Mechanical automation has improved efficiency.

这些医疗器非常精密。

Zhèxiē yīliáo qìxiè fēicháng jīngmì.

These medical instruments are very precise.

警方收缴了非法斗的武器。

Jǐngfāng shōujiǎo le fēifǎ xièdòu de wǔqì.

The police confiscated weapons from illegal armed fights.

农业机化是现代农业的标志。

Nóngyè jīxièhuà shì xiàndài nóngyè de biāozhì.

Agricultural mechanization is a sign of modern agriculture.

工程师设计了新型的机手臂。

Gōngchéngshī shèjì le xīnxíng de jīxiè shǒubì.

The engineer designed a new type of mechanical arm.