機関

• Reading: きかん
• Romaji: kikan
• Kanji breakdown: 機 (ki) — machine, mechanism; 関 (kan) — barrier, relate
• Pronunciation: /ki.kaɴ/

Meaning

Engine; mechanism. Also means institution or organization. A word with two distinct but related senses.

A noun with two main uses: (1) a mechanical engine or device, as in 機関車 (locomotive), and (2) an institution or organized body, as in 金融機関 (financial institution). The shared nuance is a system that drives or operates something.

Examples

1. 蒸気機関は産業革命を支えた発明だ。 The steam engine was an invention that powered the Industrial Revolution.
2. 国際機関で働くことが夢です。 My dream is to work at an international organization.
3. 医療機関に問い合わせてみてください。 Please try contacting a medical institution.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, news, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Chinese 機關. 機 means 'machine/mechanism' and 関 means 'barrier/gateway,' together suggesting a system or apparatus that controls operations.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal