仕組み

• Reading: しくみ
• Romaji: shikumi
• Kanji breakdown: 仕 (shi) — serve, do; 組 (ku) — assemble, group
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.kɯ.mi/

Meaning

Structure; mechanism; system; how something works.

A noun describing the internal workings or organizational structure of something. Commonly used when explaining how systems, machines, or processes function. Often appears with を理解する (to understand the mechanism) or を作る (to create a system).

Examples

1. この機械の仕組みを教えてください。 Please explain how this machine works.
2. 社会保険の仕組みは複雑だ。 The social insurance system is complicated.
3. 新しいビジネスの仕組みを考えている。 I'm thinking up a new business model.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, society, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 仕 (serve, do) and 組み (from 組む, to assemble). Originally meant the way things are put together or assembled to function.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal