(きざい)

きざい
noun
equipment, gear, materials
1. equipment, gear, materials, apparatus
Machines, tools, and materials needed for a specific task or activity. Commonly used for film/video equipment, audio gear, construction materials, and other specialized equipment that is transported and set up for use.
撮影(さつえい)機材(きざい)準備(じゅんび)する。
To prepare filming equipment.
(おも)機材(きざい)(はこ)ぶのは大変(たいへん)だ。
It's tough to carry heavy equipment.
コンサートの(まえ)に、スタッフが音響(おんきょう)機材(きざい)のセッティングを(おこな)った。
Before the concert, the staff set up the audio equipment.

ETYMOLOGY:
() (machine, mechanism) + (ざい) (material, timber). Literally "machine materials" — the machines and materials needed for work.

USAGE:
機材(きざい) implies portable or deployable equipment — things you bring to a location, set up, and use. It is commonly associated with film/video production, audio engineering, photography, construction, and events. Unlike 機器(きき) (which emphasizes the devices themselves), 機材(きざい) includes the idea of materials and supplies alongside the machines.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 撮影(さつえい)機材(きざい): filming/photography equipment
  • 音響(おんきょう)機材(きざい): audio equipment
  • 照明(しょうめい)機材(きざい): lighting equipment
  • 機材(きざい)搬入(はんにゅう)する: to bring in equipment
  • 機材(きざい)トラブル: equipment trouble

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 機器(きき): equipment, devices (more formal, technical)
  • 器具(きぐ): instruments, utensils (smaller items)
  • 道具(どうぐ): tools (general, everyday)

Related Words