Why is the き in 充電器 器 not 機?


A charger is a machine. Why is it 器 not 機?




`機` is for "large" machines; things with "lots" of likely "large" moving
parts. What comes to mind are like automated machines of an assembly line
(cars, packaging, etc.), printing press, etc. Also, aircraft (`飛行機`, `航空機`).

`器` is used for "smaller" things. It is often used to mean `[器具]{き・ぐ}` -
tools, instruments, appliances, etc.

Where the cutoff between "small" and "large" is, and who decides those things,
I'm not sure. There may be some counterexamples, but if you stick with the
"small" and "large" rule, you'll be right most of the time.




`機` is for "large" machines; things with "lots" of likely "large" moving
parts. What comes to mind are like automated machines of an assembly line
(cars, packaging, etc.), printing press, etc. Also, aircraft (`飛行機`, `航空機`).

`器` is used for "smaller" things. It is often used to mean `[器具]{き・ぐ}` -
tools, instruments, appliances, etc.

Where the cutoff between "small" and "large" is, and who decides those things,
I'm not sure. There may be some counterexamples, but if you stick with the
"small" and "large" rule, you'll be right most of the time.

