Question
25 Dec 2018
- Dutch
- Esperanto Near fluent
-
English (US)
-
German
-
Swedish
Closed question
Question about Japanese
A rice cooker is called a 炊飯器 (すいはんき) and a vacuum cleaner usually 掃除機 (そうじき). An alternative way to write the latter is 掃除器. So why is rice cooker usually written with 器 and vacuum cleaner with 機?
A rice cooker is called a 炊飯器 (すいはんき) and a vacuum cleaner usually 掃除機 (そうじき). An alternative way to write the latter is 掃除器. So why is rice cooker usually written with 器 and vacuum cleaner with 機?
Answers
25 Dec 2018
Featured answer
- Japanese
The character 器 signifies a “container.”
The character 機 signifies a “machine.”
I would guess that for 炊飯器 the former character is applied because it’s a container to cook rice in although it’s also a machine. 器 is also used in words like 食器 (dishes and bowls).
Read more comments
- Japanese
Because, both are machine.
Machine in Japanese is "機械".
- Japanese
器 of 炊飯器 means "vessel", while 機 of 掃除機 is machine.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
The character 器 signifies a “container.”
The character 機 signifies a “machine.”
I would guess that for 炊飯器 the former character is applied because it’s a container to cook rice in although it’s also a machine. 器 is also used in words like 食器 (dishes and bowls).

[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
Sign up
Similar questions
- 炊飯器や他のキッチン用品も話します。そして、ドアが開いたままとき、警告してくれる冷蔵庫もあります。 Rice cookers and other kitchen devices talk as...
- じゃは炊飯器ですか。 テレビで見たことがあります。
- 炊飯器のスイッチを入れてね。 does this sound natural?
Newest Questions
- Is this sentence below correct? I went to online shops to buy a headset but there were so many c...
- I'm not that big of a fan, actually. I'm not really a big fan , actually. which sentence is more...
- what does it mean? I was down to just one income
- when he was playing video games, the electricity went out : ?is it right to say it this way...
- do you use this word ? godsmack ex. I am gobsmacked by how tasty this strawberry is?
Topic Questions
- I find a bit strange the grammar of the following phrase: "Never have I ever..." about the drinki...
- Why we say “we’ve not eaten anything all night” but we don’t say “we’ve not been eating anything ...
- can I crack the window? can I open the window just a crack? do these sentences mean the same th...
- "What would you do if a bat come in into your house?" Does that sound natural?
- No performance is allowed in this street does this sound natural?
Recommended Questions