機会|きかいkikai[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounchance; opportunity; occasion
   またの機会きかいにしましょう。↗

   Let's make it some other time.

• Synonym潮時しおどきNeutralThe right moment to start or finish something, as in 「引退の潮時」; carries a sense of quitting while you're ahead. 「機会」 is any chance to do something.
• Synonym好機こうきWrittenA favorable opportunity, as in 「好機を逃す」. Stresses that the timing is advantageous, more than 「機会」 does, and is mostly written/formal prose.
• Synonym時機じきNeutralThe suitable time for doing something, as in 「時機を見る」「時機を逸する」; it asks whether the moment is right, while 「機会」 asks whether the chance exists.
• SynonymチャンスCasualLoanword largely interchangeable with 「機会」, as in 「チャンスを掴む」. Very common in speech and often suggests a favorable opening.
• Synonym機きWrittenOn its own mostly in set phrases like 「機を逃す」「機が熟す」「機を見る」; strongly written in flavor. In everyday speech 「機会」 is the normal word.
• Related時ときNeutralCovers time, moments and occasions generally, a far wider range than 「機会」. In the sense of chance it appears in phrases like 「時を待つ」「時を得る」.
• Related時宜じぎWrittenTiming that fits the circumstances, mostly as 「時宜を得た」「時宜にかなう」; judges whether something is timely. Also means season's greetings.
• Related潮合しおあいWrittenOriginally a place where tides meet, by extension the right moment; a synonym of 「潮時」 that is rare today. Say 「潮時」 or 「機会」 in everyday use.

For a general chance, 「機会」 is the default; in speech 「チャンス」 is the usual word. Use 「好機」 for a favorable opportunity, 「時機」 when the timing matters, 「潮時」 for when to bow out, and 「時宜」 for timeliness.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 何なんかをするのに丁度ちょうどよいとき。