〜機(き)

き
suffix
~ machine, ~ device
1. machine, device, apparatus
A suffix meaning 'machine' or 'device' attached to words describing the function or type.
乾燥(かんそう)機(き)で服(ふく)を乾(かわ)かす。
I dry clothes with a dryer.
洗濯(せんたく)機(き)が故障(こしょう)した。
The washing machine broke down.
券売(けんばい)機(き)で切符(きっぷ)を買(か)う。
I buy tickets at the ticket machine.

〜機(き) is a productive suffix meaning "machine" or "device." It attaches to a word describing the machine's function to create compound nouns.

COMMON EXAMPLES:

  • 洗濯機(せんたくき): washing machine
  • 乾燥機(かんそうき): dryer
  • 掃除機(そうじき): vacuum cleaner
  • 券売機(けんばいき): ticket vending machine
  • 自動販売機(じどうはんばいき): vending machine
  • 複写機(ふくしゃき): copy machine
  • 飛行機(ひこうき): airplane

CONTRAST WITH 〜器(き):

〜機(き) and 〜器(き) are both read き and both mean "device," but they differ in nuance:

  • 〜機(き): larger machines with moving parts or complex mechanisms
  • 〜器(き): smaller instruments, containers, or simple tools (食器(しょっき) tableware, 楽器(がっき) musical instrument)

Some words use 機(き) for the machine version and 器(き) for the simpler tool version.

general
Added 2026.2.4 10:44 · Revised 2026.3.30 12:38
09500/09843_ki