台
dai
台 is a machine on its stand
The picture The character 台 means 'stand'. Picture a machine resting whole on its stand, holding down a space of its own.
Where the picture shows up in 台
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the one you ride
空港でレンタカーを一台借りました。
kūkō de rentakā o ichidai karimashita
I rented a car at the airport.
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the one on the desk
事務所にパソコンが三台あります。
jimusho ni pasokon ga sandai arimasu
There are three computers in the office.
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the one you bring home
洗濯機を一台買い替えました。
sentakuki o ichidai kaikaemashita
We replaced the washing machine.
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the one parked there
入り口に自転車が二台止めてあります。
iriguchi ni jitensha ga nidai tomete arimasu
There are two bikes parked at the entrance.
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asking how many units
この部屋にエアコンは何台ありますか。
kono heya ni eakon wa nandai arimasu ka
How many air conditioners are in this room?
Wheeled things and machines take 台, but aircraft take 機 (き) and ships take 隻 (せき).