机构

• Pinyin: jī gòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 机 = 木 (wood) + 几 (small table, phonetic); 构 = 木 (wood) + 勾 (hook, phonetic)

Meaning

Institution; organization; agency. Refers to a formally established body with a specific function or purpose.

Used broadly for government agencies, educational institutions, financial bodies, research organizations, and NGOs. Often appears in formal or semi-formal contexts. Common collocations include 政府机构 (government agency), 金融机构 (financial institution), and 培训机构 (training organization).

Examples

1. 这家培训机构的老师都很有经验。 The teachers at this training institution are all very experienced.
2. 政府机构应该更好地服务老百姓。 Government agencies should better serve the common people.
3. 他在一家研究机构工作了十年。 He worked at a research institution for ten years.

Usage Guide

Context: work, government, education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个机构负责环境保护。(This institution is responsible for environmental protection.)
• 我们需要找一个专业的机构来做评估。(We need to find a professional agency to do the assessment.)

Don't Say

• 我在一个机构吃饭 (Don't use 机构 for restaurants or shops — it refers to formal organizations, not commercial businesses)

Origin & History

机 (machine, mechanism) + 构 (structure, composition) — together meaning a structured body or organized mechanism.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal