opportunity; chance
HSK level
机会 is written with 12 strokes (机: 6, 会: 6). The animation replays automatically.
机会 (jīhuì) is a noun meaning 'opportunity' or 'chance' — the favorable moment or circumstance for doing something.
Literally 'machine-meeting' or 'mechanism-occasion,' it implies a window where conditions align in your favor. English speakers should note two things: first, 机会 leans positive in Chinese — it suggests a GOOD chance, an opening to pursue (a job opportunity, a chance to study abroad). For neutral 'probability / likelihood,' use 可能性 (kěnéngxìng).
Second, 机会 is a noun only; the verb 'to have a chance' is 有机会 — 我有机会去 ('I have a chance to go'). The set phrase 把握机会 ('seize the opportunity') is essential — you 抓住 (zhuāzhù 'grab') or 错过 (cuòguò 'miss') a 机会. It pairs naturally with 给 (give a chance) and 找 (look for opportunities).
Character by character
Memory hook: 机 (occasion) + 会 (meeting) — when occasion meets readiness, that's opportunity.
机会 appears in 4 Fluentide podcast episodes at natural native speed — each with the full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
我有机会去中国学习。
Wǒ yǒu jīhuì qù Zhōngguó xuéxí.
I have a chance to study in China.
neutral
请给我一次机会。
Qǐng gěi wǒ yí cì jīhuì.
Please give me one chance.
polite
这是一个很好的工作机会。
Zhè shì yí ge hěn hǎo de gōngzuò jīhuì.
This is a really good job opportunity.
neutral
别错过这个机会。
Bié cuòguò zhège jīhuì.
Don't miss this opportunity.
spoken
下次有机会再见吧。
Xià cì yǒu jīhuì zài jiàn ba.
Let's meet again next time we have the chance.
spoken
时机 emphasizes 'the right moment / timing' — when conditions are perfectly ripe. 机会 is the opportunity itself. 等时机成熟 (wait for the timing to be ripe) is about WHEN; 找机会 (look for opportunity) is about WHETHER one exists.
可能性 is 'possibility / probability' — neutral, statistical. 机会 carries a positive nuance (a good chance to do something). 下雨的可能性 (probability of rain) — not 机会; 学中文的机会 (a chance to learn Chinese).
运气 is 'luck' — something that happens TO you, often by chance. 机会 is an opening you can act on. 你运气好 (you're lucky) describes a result; 你有机会 (you have a chance) describes a window of action.
Same 机, but 机器 means 'machine' (the physical device). 机会 is opportunity. Both share the 'machine / mechanism' root in 机, but completely different meanings.
飞机 is 'airplane' — uses the 'machine' sense of 机. Don't confuse with 机会 'opportunity.' Two unrelated common compounds.
机票 is 'airplane ticket' (机 from 飞机). Not 'opportunity ticket.' Easy beginner mix-up because 机会 and 机票 both start with 机.
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