机械

• Pinyin: jī xiè
• Hanzi breakdown: 机 = 木 (wood) + 几, machine; 械 = 木 (wood) + 戒 (guard), tool or weapon

Meaning

Machinery; mechanical equipment. Also used figuratively to mean 'mechanical' or 'rigid' (lacking flexibility).

As a noun, refers to machines and mechanical equipment. As an adjective, describes something done in a rigid, inflexible, or automatic way without thinking. Often used critically to describe rote learning or unimaginative behavior.

Examples

1. 这家工厂引进了一批先进的机械设备，大大提高了生产效率。 This factory introduced a batch of advanced machinery, greatly improving production efficiency.
2. 他的学习方法太机械了，只会死记硬背，不懂灵活运用。 His study method is too mechanical — he only memorizes things by rote without understanding how to apply them flexibly.
3. 机械工程专业的毕业生在就业市场上很受欢迎。 Graduates majoring in mechanical engineering are very popular in the job market.

Usage Guide

Context: industry, education, criticism

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这台机械需要定期保养。(This machinery needs regular maintenance.)
• 别这么机械地理解规则。(Don't interpret the rules so rigidly.)

Don't Say

• 把电脑称为机械 (Computers are typically called 电脑 or 计算机, not 机械, which implies physical moving parts)

Origin & History

Compound of 机 (machine) + 械 (tool/device). 械 originally referred to weapons or tools.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal