机能 (jī néng) — function (of an organ, machine, or system)

Definition

noun

function (of an organ, machine, or system)

，机能。
Suí zhe nián líng zēng zhǎng, shēn tǐ jī néng huì zhú jiàn xià jiàng.
As we age, the body's functions gradually decline.
机能。
Zhè tái jī qì de jī běn jī néng shì zì dòng bāo zhuāng.
The basic function of this machine is automatic packaging.
机能。
Gān zàng de jiě dú jī néng duì jiàn kāng fēi cháng zhòng yào.
The detoxification function of the liver is very important for health.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

机jīmechanism or organ

能néngfunction or ability

“机” refers to a mechanism or organ, and “能” is its working ability, giving function.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

木几机

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree; wood

Sound part声符shēngfú

几

Same sound today

The left part is 木 (tree; wood), and the right part 几 gives the sound.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

能 is an old picture of a bear, showing two paws and a face with an open mouth.

Appears in