noun HSK 5
xiè
apparatus · equipment · instrument · implement

Meaning

器械 refers to various types of equipment, tools, or apparatus used for specific purposes. It commonly appears in contexts related to sports equipment, medical instruments, mechanical devices, and fitness apparatus. The word combines 器 (vessel/utensil) and 械 (device/tool) to create a formal term for implements and machinery.

Usage

This is a fairly formal or technical term commonly used in professional contexts like sports facilities (gym equipment), medical settings (surgical instruments), or industrial environments (machinery). In everyday conversation, people might use simpler words like 设备 (shèbèi) or specific terms for particular items. It frequently appears in compounds like 医疗器械 (medical equipment) or 健身器械 (fitness equipment).

Examples

  1. 01
    健身房里有各种各样的健身器械
    Jiàn shēn fáng yǒu zhǒng yàng de jiàn shēn xiè.
    The gym has all kinds of fitness equipment.
  2. 02
    医生使用专业的医疗器械进行手术。
    shēng shǐ yòng zhuān de liáo xiè jìn xíng shǒu shù.
    The doctor uses professional medical instruments to perform surgery.

Characters

Measure words

  • jiàn一件器械
  • tái一台器械

Common collocations

  • 健身器械
    jiàn shēn xiè
    fitness equipment
  • 医疗器械
    liáo xiè
    medical equipment/devices
  • 体育器械
    xiè
    sports equipment
  • 机械器械
    xiè xiè
    mechanical equipment

Origin

Both characters have ancient origins relating to tools and implements. 器 originally depicted a dog guarding four vessels, symbolizing precious utensils. 械 combines 木 (wood) and 戒 (warning/weapon), originally referring to wooden implements or weapons, later extending to mechanical devices.

Related