机制

• Pinyin: jī zhì
• Hanzi breakdown: 机 = 木 (wood) + 几 (small table), meaning machine or opportunity; 制 = 未 (not yet) + 刂 (knife), meaning system or to control

Meaning

Mechanism; system. The way a process or organization works.

Used in formal contexts to describe how systems, organizations, or processes function. Common in discussions about government, business, science, and social issues. Can refer to both physical mechanisms and abstract systems.

Examples

1. 公司建立了完善的激励机制来提高员工积极性。 The company has established a comprehensive incentive mechanism to increase employee motivation.
2. 市场机制在资源配置中发挥着重要作用。 Market mechanisms play an important role in resource allocation.
3. 我们需要了解这种疾病的发病机制才能找到治疗方法。 We need to understand the pathogenesis mechanism of this disease to find a treatment.

Usage Guide

Context: business, government, academic, science

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 这个机制需要改进。(This mechanism needs to be improved.)
• 他们正在研究人体的免疫机制。(They are studying the immune mechanism of the human body.)

Don't Say

• 这台机器的机制坏了 (For physical machine parts, use 零件 or 部件, not 机制 which is for systems)

Origin & History

Compound of 机 (machine, opportunity) + 制 (system, to make), meaning the systematic way something operates.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated