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
帰還
きかん (kikan)
N2 / 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.
- 帰還 (Level: N2): Maps to "return, repatriation, comeback" and carries the nuance of Used for formal returns, such as soldiers returning from war, astronauts returning from space, or a team returning to a base. More formal than 戻る or 帰る..
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 "帰還"
宇宙船は地球への帰還に成功した。
The spaceship successfully returned to Earth.
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.".