Japanese word

機

Pronunciation

Romajiki

Meaning

  • nounchance

Example

その機を逃しません。so no ki o noga shi ma se n

I will not miss that chance.

Illustration for 機 (chance)

More examples

その機を生かして、友達に自分の考えを話します。so no ki o i ka shi te tomo dachi ni ji bun no kanga e o hana shi ma su

I will use that opportunity to explain my thoughts to my friend.

Core concept

It marks a favorable opening in time when an action can succeed or a possibility can be taken.

Common phrases

  • 機を逃すki o noga su

    miss a chance

  • 機をうかがうki o u ka ga u

    watch for a chance

  • 機を生かすki o i ka su

    make the most of a chance

Similar words

機会kikai: An occasion that makes an action or event possible.

Definition in Japanese

何かをするのに適した時機や機会。nan ka o su ru no ni teki shi ta ji ki ya ki kai

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 機 (ki, "opportunity") comes from the Chinese character 機, whose senses include a mechanism, a critical point, and an opportunity.

Usage tips

  • The chance sense of 機 (ki) often appears in compact expressions such as 機を逃す (ki o nogasu), while 機会 (kikai) is the usual everyday word for an opportunity.

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