機械

きかい · kikai · JLPT N3 · noun

machine

機械 — machine

⚙️🔧 機 mechanism + 械 contraption = machine; both have the 木 wood radical

Early machines like looms were built of wood, so both kanji carry 木. 機 alone means loom or mechanism (as in 飛行機, airplane); 械 means a device or contraption. For the sound, kikai is close to key guy, the person who fixes the machine.

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