机 jī — machine, chance · English

机

jī

machine, chance

At a glance · 机

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从木几声，形声字，本指弓弩的发射机关（机括）。隶楷作「機」，简化作「机」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「机」本指机械关键部件，引申为机关、机会、机巧。

Structure

形声字，木为意符，几为声符。

At a glance

Pinyinjī

Radical木

Strokes6

UnicodeU+673A

Character type形声

Theme器物

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English machine, chance A machine; a mechanism; opportunity.

Français machine, chance Une machine; un mécanisme; occasion.

Español máquina, oportunidad Una máquina; un mecanismo; oportunidad.

العربية آلة، فرصة آلة أو فرصة أو ميكانيزم.

Русский машина, случай Машина; механизм; возможность, случай.

Common words

机会jī huìchance
机器jī qìmachine

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