机制 (jīzhì) — mechanism, system
HSK 5 | noun | underlying operational mechanism or systemic process
机制 (jīzhì)
机制 refers to the underlying mechanism, process, or systemic arrangement by which something operates, emphasizing the functional and dynamic aspect of how a system works.
Meanings
- [noun] mechanism, operational process (of a system or institution)
- [noun] a systemic arrangement or procedure that produces a particular outcome
Example Sentences
科学家仍在探索这种疾病的发病机制。 Kēxuéjiā réng zài tànsuǒ zhè zhǒng jíbìng de fābìng jīzhì. Scientists are still exploring the pathogenesis mechanism of this disease.
市场机制是调节资源配置的基本手段。 Shìchǎng jīzhì shì tiáojié zīyuán pèizhì de jīběn shǒuduàn. The market mechanism is the basic means of regulating the allocation of resources.
建立有效的监督机制是防止腐败的关键。 Jiànlì yǒuxiào de jiāndū jīzhì shì fángzhǐ fǔbài de guānjiàn. Establishing an effective supervision mechanism is the key to preventing corruption.
这项研究揭示了大脑记忆形成的神经机制。 Zhè xiàng yánjiū jiēshì le dànǎo jìyì xíngchéng de shénjīng jīzhì. This research revealed the neural mechanism of memory formation in the brain.
激励机制的设计直接影响员工的工作积极性。 Jīlì jīzhì de shèjì zhíjiē yǐngxiǎng yuángōng de gōngzuò jījí xìng. The design of incentive mechanisms directly affects employees' work motivation.
政府正在探索建立更加灵活的人才引进机制。 Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài tànsuǒ jiànlì gèng jiā línghuó de réncái yǐnjìn jīzhì. The government is exploring the establishment of more flexible talent recruitment mechanisms.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 市场机制 | market mechanism |
| 激励机制 | incentive mechanism |
| 监督机制 | supervision/oversight mechanism |
| 运行机制 | operational mechanism |
| 建立机制 | to establish a mechanism |
| 机制创新 | mechanism/institutional innovation |
Usage Notes
机制 focuses on the dynamic, functional aspect of how a system operates -- not just what rules exist (制度), but how those rules actually work in practice. In scientific contexts, 机制 refers to the biological or chemical processes (发病机制, 免疫机制). In administrative and policy contexts, it refers to the institutional procedures that produce outcomes (监督机制, 激励机制).
At B2 level, distinguishing between 制度 (institutional framework) and 机制 (operational mechanism) is important for precise academic and professional writing.
Memory Hook
机 refers to a machine or functional device, and 制 means to make or control -- 机制 is the mechanism inside the machine: the gears and processes that make everything run.