Meanings of 科
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About 科
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Podcast: 科
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AI Study Notes for 科
学 (xué) - use 科 (kē) when referring to specific branches or fields of study, whereas 学 (xué) is more general and can denote the act of learning or studying.
Be careful not to confuse 科 with other characters that sound similar but have different meanings. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, especially in academic discussions. Note that it often collocates with words like '学' (study) to form '科学' (science).
Although 科 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is relevant for learners aiming for HSK 4 and above, particularly in contexts related to education and academia. Focus on its usage in phrases related to different fields of study.
Learners often confuse 科 with 课 (kè), which means 'class' or 'lesson'. For example, saying '我学科' (wǒ xué kē) instead of '我上课' (wǒ shàng kè) would be incorrect, as the latter correctly means 'I attend class'.
Pronunciation of 科
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Jason Explains 科 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 科 is seven skills, not one.
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.
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Etymology of 科
Depicts measuring out grain (禾) with a dipper (斗).
A hand measuring 斗 grain 禾
Origin
What kind of character is 科?
Decomposition of 科
Parts
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How to say branch of study in Chinese
“branch of study” in Chinese is科
The character 科 (kē) refers to various branches of study or fields, often used in academic or administrative contexts. It can denote a specific discipline, such as in '科学' (science), or represent divisions within an organization, like departments in a university.
When to use 科
Be careful not to confuse 科 with other characters that sound similar but have different meanings. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, especially in academic discussions. Note that it often collocates with words like '学' (study) to form '科学' (science).
科 or something close to it
学 (xué) - use 科 (kē) when referring to specific branches or fields of study, whereas 学 (xué) is more general and can denote the act of learning or studying.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 科 with 课 (kè), which means 'class' or 'lesson'. For example, saying '我学科' (wǒ xué kē) instead of '我上课' (wǒ shàng kè) would be incorrect, as the latter correctly means 'I attend class'.
Write 科
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Practice writing 科 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 科
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 13 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.
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Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我们首先要找到____学的练习方法，然后坚持每天练习。
We first need to find a scientific practice method, then persist in practicing every day.
Common Confusions with 科
Similar shape but different meaning.
Which one
Which one means “branch of study”?
Example Sentences for 科 (10)
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Cultural Notes for 科
In Chinese education, subjects are often categorized under different '科', such as 理科 (science) and 文科 (arts). This classification helps students choose their future studies.
Word Family of 科
Characters with 科
What does 蝌 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 科
科 (kē) specifically refers to a branch or division within a field of study, while 学 (xué) is a more general term that means 'to study' or 'learning'. For example, in '科学' (kēxué), 科 indicates the branch of science, whereas 学 denotes the act of learning.
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