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本科 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
本科
běnkē
undergraduate course
HSK 4, r, 14 strokes, rank #29060, Medium
本科
běnkē
undergraduate (adjective)
HSK 4, r, 14 strokes, rank #29060, Medium
本科
běnkē
undergraduate (attributive)
HSK 4, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #29060, Medium
běnkē(ben3ke1)ben ke T3
1undergraduate course
2undergraduate (adjective)
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March 24, 2026
本科běnkē(ben3ke1)
本科 refers to an undergraduate course or the undergraduate level of education in China. It is commonly used to describe programs that lead to a bachelor's degree, distinguishing them from both high school education and postgraduate studies.
Strokes14Frequency#29060DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In China, the 本科 system is a critical part of the education landscape, with students often taking gaokao, the national college entrance exam, to gain admission to 本科 programs. This reflects the high value placed on higher education in Chinese society.
Memory tip
Think of 本 (běn) as 'root' or 'foundation' and 科 (kē) as 'subject' or 'branch of study.' Together, they form the 'foundation subjects' of higher education, like the roots of a tree supporting its growth.
Meanings of 本科
běnkē(ben3ke1)
1undergraduate course
2undergraduate (adjective)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 本科
本科Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#29060Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 本科
Podcast: 本科
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AI study notes for 本科
Quick Contrast
本科 (běnkē) vs 研究生 (yánjiūshēng) — 本科 refers to undergraduate studies, while 研究生 denotes graduate studies.
Usage Notes
Undergraduate courses are often referred to in both formal and informal contexts, but make sure to use 本科 when discussing academic qualifications. Common collocations include 本科生 (bachelor student) and 本科毕业 (undergraduate graduation). Be careful with tones, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
As a HSK 5 word, 本科 connects with other education-related vocabulary at this level. Focus on understanding its usage in academic contexts and practice using it in sentences about education or qualifications.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 本科 with 研究生 (yán jiū shēng), which means 'graduate student.' For example, saying '我是一名本科生' (I am a graduate student) is incorrect; it should be '我是一名本科生' (I am an undergraduate student).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 本科
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
本科 refers to an undergraduate course or the undergraduate level of education in China. It is commonly used to describe programs that lead to a bachelor's degree, distinguishing them from both high school education and postgraduate studies.
When to use 本科
Undergraduate courses are often referred to in both formal and informal contexts, but make sure to use 本科 when discussing academic qualifications. Common collocations include 本科生 (bachelor student) and 本科毕业 (undergraduate graduation). Be careful with tones, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words.
本科 or something close to it
本科 (běnkē) vs 研究生 (yánjiūshēng) — 本科 refers to undergraduate studies, while 研究生 denotes graduate studies.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 本科 with 研究生 (yán jiū shēng), which means 'graduate student.' For example, saying '我是一名本科生' (I am a graduate student) is incorrect; it should be '我是一名本科生' (I am an undergraduate student).
Write 本科
本
科
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Grammar patterns of 本科
本科 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我现在才去读大学____不是有点太老了吗？
Aren't I a bit long in the tooth to start being an undergraduate?
