械 (xiè) - Tool, instrument, weapon & mechanical device

械Tone 4

xiè ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

想信

械 · xiè

Tool, instrument, weapon;

mechanical device;

implements;

shackles, fetters.

Tool, instrument, weaponmechanical deviceimplements

Usage highlights

MechanicalWeaponEquipmentMachine gunAgricultural toolsShackles

Synonyms

  • 器— utensil, tool
  • 具— tool, implement
  • 械具— tools and implements

Antonyms

  • 手— hand (manual vs. mechanical)
  • 人— human (manual labor vs. machinery)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The factory produces mechanical equipment (机械).
  • Police confiscated illegal weapons (武器).
  • He was handcuffed and shackled (械系).
  • Agricultural implements (农具) are essential for farming.

Collocations

  • Mechanical(机械)
  • Weapon(武器)
  • Equipment(器械)
  • Machine gun(机关枪)
  • Agricultural tools(农械)
  • Shackles(械具)

Idioms

  • To be shackled and imprisoned(械系入狱)
  • Mechanical and rigid(机械呆板)
  • Arms and equipment(军械装备)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to tools and implements, later extended to weapons and mechanical devices.
  • In ancient contexts, often associated with restraints like shackles and fetters for prisoners.
  • Represents both practical utility (tools) and control/restraint (shackles) in Chinese culture.

FAQ