机会
opportunity; chance
jīhuì
What does 机会 mean?
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 breakdown
machine; chance; opportunity
to meet; occasion; can
Memory hook: 机 (occasion) + 会 (meeting) — when occasion meets readiness, that's opportunity.
Measure word for 机会
Example sentences
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
Common phrases with 机会
Hear it in real Fluentide episodes
机会 appears in 5 podcast episodes at natural native speed, with full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
Synonyms
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).
Don't confuse 机会 with
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
FAQ
Related words from the same episodes
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