machine · instrument

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 械 has 11 strokes and appears in words for instruments and machines.
• Basic usage: 器械（きかい） means an apparatus or instrument; 機械（きかい） means a machine.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The same reading, different spellings
  • 器械 and 機械 are both read きかい.
  • 体育館の器械 and 検査用の器械 refer to gym apparatus and examination instruments.
  • In この機械は紙を同じ幅に切ります, 機械 is a machine that cuts paper to a uniform width.
  • 器械 typically focuses on tools and apparatus, while 機械 focuses on mechanical structure and operation.