1.
apparatus; instrument; equipment
Tools, devices, or equipment used for specific purposes, especially in gymnastics, medicine, or scientific work. Distinguished from 機械 (machine) by emphasis on precision instruments and manual tools rather than powered machinery.
器械体操を習っている。
I'm learning apparatus gymnastics.
手術に使う器械は厳重に消毒される。
The instruments used in surgery are rigorously sterilized.
実験室には精密な器械が多く並んでいる。
Many precision instruments are lined up in the laboratory.
USAGE:
器械 and 機械 are homophones with overlapping but distinct meanings. 器械 refers to tools, instruments, and apparatus — things that are typically simpler, often hand-operated, and used for specialized tasks (surgery, gymnastics, lab work). 機械 refers to machines — powered, mechanical devices.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 器械体操 (apparatus gymnastics)
- 医療器械 (medical instruments)
- 精密器械 (precision instruments)
SIMILAR WORDS:
機械 means machine or machinery (powered devices). 器具 refers to smaller tools or utensils. 装置 refers to a system or device, often more complex.