機能|きのうkinou[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbfunction; facility; faculty; feature
    こんな余計よけいな機能きのうなんでつけたんだろう。↗
    What did they add this needless function for?
Conjugation
Dictionary form機能する(きのうする)
Polite (masu)機能します(きのうします)
Negative (nai)機能しない(きのうしない)
polite (masen)機能しません(きのうしません)
classical zu / nu機能せず・機能せぬ(きのうせず・きのうせぬ)
Past (ta)機能した(きのうした)
polite (mashita)機能しました(きのうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)機能しなかった(きのうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)機能しませんでした(きのうしませんでした)
Te form機能して(きのうして)
Potential機能できる(きのうできる)
Passive機能される(きのうされる)
Causative機能させる(きのうさせる)
Causative passive機能させられる(きのうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)機能すれば(きのうすれば)
tara機能したら(きのうしたら)
Volitional機能しよう(きのうしよう)
polite (mashou)機能しましょう(きのうしましょう)
Imperative機能しろ(きのうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym作用さようWrittenFormal word for an action that affects something else, e.g. 「副作用」「消化作用」. Stresses the process of influence; 「機能」 stresses a thing's own capacity.
  • SynonymファンクションNeutralLoanword for 'function', also a mathematical function; e.g. 「ファンクションキー」. Mostly in computing and programming; for everyday use say 「機能」.
  • Related役割やくわりNeutralAn assigned role or part, e.g. 「役割分担」. Stresses the task allotted to someone or something, while 「機能」 stresses what a thing itself does.
  • Related働きはたらきNeutralThe working or effect of something, e.g. 「肝臓の働き」. More colloquial than 「機能」, and can also mean labor or achievements.
  • Related用途ようとNeutralWhat a thing or money is used for, e.g. 「用途が広い」. Focuses on the purpose something serves; 「機能」 focuses on the role it performs.
  • Related役目やくめNeutralA duty one is expected to fulfill, e.g. 「役目を果たす」. More colloquial than 「役割」; of things, it can also mean the role they play.
  • Related効用こうようWrittenWritten/formal word for utility or benefit, e.g. 「薬の効用」. Stresses the benefit something brings; in economics it specifically means the satisfaction from consumption.
  • Related職能しょくのうWrittenFormal term for occupational ability or a function within an organization, e.g. 「職能給」. Confined to job and organizational contexts.
  • Antonym故障こしょうNeutralA breakdown or malfunction of a machine, e.g. 「機械が故障する」; also an injury to the body. The opposite of 「機能」 working properly.
  • Antonym機能不全きのうふぜんWrittenFormal term for a 「機能」 failing to work fully, e.g. 「心機能不全」. Mostly in medicine or about how organizations run; the opposite of 「機能」 working normally.

For 'function' in the general sense, use 「機能」. Use 「役割」 for roles and division of duties, 「働き」 or 「作用」 for effects, 「用途」 for what something is used for, 「役目」 for one's duty, 「機能不全」 for dysfunction, and 「故障」 for a breakdown.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 目的もくてきに応おうじた働はたらき。また、機械きかいの部品ぶひんや人体じんたいの器官きかんなど、あるものを構成こうせいする一部いちぶが担になっている役割やくわり。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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