Kanji Homophone Battle
Pronunciation Trap: "きかん (kikan)"
Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.
Kanji Option A
機関
きかん (kikan)
N3 / CEFR
VS
Kanji Option B
基幹
きかん (kikan)
N1 / CEFR
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "きかん (kikan)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.
- 機関 (Level: N3): Translates to "organization, institution, agency; engine" and is used when 公的な組織や団体、または機械の動力を生み出す部分を指します。どちらの意味で使われるかは文脈によります。Refers to an official organization or body, or the part of a machine that produces power.
- 基幹 (Level: N1): Maps to "core; foundation; backbone; key (e.g. industry)" and carries the nuance of 組織やシステム、産業などにおいて、最も重要で中心となる部分を指します。物事の根幹を成すものです。.
Bilingual Context for "機関"
国連は国際的な機関です。
The UN is an international organization.
Bilingual Context for "基幹"
鉄道は国の基幹産業の一つだ。
Railways are one of the core industries of the country.
Kanji Selection Quiz
Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?
Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "国連は国際的な ＿＿＿ です。" (Meaning: "The UN is an international organization.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Correct! "機関" is used for "organization, institution, agency; engine" in the context: "The UN is an international organization.".