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科 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
科kēbranch of studyHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēadministrative sectionHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēdivisionHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēfieldHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēbranchHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēstage directionsHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēfamily (taxonomy)HSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kērulesHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēlawsHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēto mete out (punishment)HSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēto levy (taxes etc)HSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēto fine sbHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
科kēsection, department; field, branch; scienceHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #2004, Hard
kē(ke1)ke T1
  1. 1branch of study
  2. 2administrative section
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March 24, 2026

科kē(ke1)

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.

Strokes9Radical禾Frequency#2004DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese education, 科 is significant as it categorizes various fields of study, reflecting the structured approach to education in China. Understanding this character helps learners navigate academic discussions and institutional structures.

Memory tip

Imagine a tree with many branches, each representing a different field of study. The character 科 resembles a tree with branches, and the 'kē' sounds like 'key'—each branch is a key to a different area of knowledge.

Meanings of 科

kē(ke1)
1branch of study
2administrative section
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 科 means.

About 科

科Simplified
9Strokes
禾Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2004Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1BCT✓CEFRA1

Podcast: 科

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AI study notes for 科

Quick Contrast

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.

Usage Notes

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).

HSK Study Tips

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.

Common Mistakes

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'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 科

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Etymology of 科

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Depicts measuring out grain (禾) with a dipper (斗).

Memory hint

A hand measuring 斗 grain 禾

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 科?

Decomposition of 科

IDS Structure⿰禾斗
科Full character
=
禾he2
left
斗Dou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 科?

How to say branch of study in Chinese

“branch of study” in Chinese is科kē

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

科

Practice writing 科 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

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

科vs课
kè

Similar shape but different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “branch of study”?

or

Example sentences for 科 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我喜爱歌剧，去年我搞到几张科芬园皇家歌剧院的票。

wǒ xǐ’ài gējù， qùnián wǒ gǎo dào jǐ zhāng kē fēn yuán huáng jiā gējù yuàn de piào。

I love opera and last year I got tickets for Covent Garden.
2
飞机获准降落于不伦瑞克的格林科机场。

fēijī huò zhǔn jiàngluò yú bù lún ruì kè de gé lín kē jīchǎng。

The plane had been cleared for landing at Brunswick's Glynco Airport.
3
只有你的家庭医生才能把你介绍给外科医生。

zhǐyǒu nǐ de jiātíng yīshēng cáinéng bǎ nǐ jièshào gěi wàikē yīshēng。

Only your family doctor can refer you to a surgeon.
4
科金斯气得眯起眼睛。“你认为我会告诉你？”

kē jīn Sī qì de mī qǐ yǎnjing。“ nǐ rènwéi wǒ huì gàosu nǐ？”

Coggins' eyes narrowed angrily. "You think I'd tell you?"
5
科普特教会是最古老的基督教会之一。

kēpǔ tè jiāo huì shì zuì gǔlǎo de jīdūjiào huì zhīyī。

The Coptic Church is among the oldest churches of Christianity.
6
人们担心的是科学会成为工业的仆人。

rénmen dānxīn de shì kēxué huì chéngwéi gōngyè de pū rén。

The fear is that science could become the handmaiden of industry.
7
科尔曼坚称他是无辜的。

kē ěr màn jiān chèn tā shì wúgū de。

Coleman has never wavered in his claim that he is innocent.
8
该国的经济困境阻碍了其科研机构的工作进展。

gāi guó de jīngjì kùnjìng zǔ’ài le qí kēyán jīgòu de gōngzuò jìnzhǎn。

The country's economic plight is strangling its scientific institutions.
9
科利尔先生深叹一口气，站了起来。

kē lì ěr xiānsheng shēn tàn yìkǒuqì， zhàn le qǐlái。

Mr Collier heaved a sigh and got to his feet.
10
过了一会儿，科恩接起电话。“喂？”

guò le yíhuìr， kē ēn jiē qǐ diànhuà。“ wèi？”

A moment later, Cohen picked up the phone. "Hello?"
11
大学里有很多科目可以选择，比如历史、数学和生物学。

Dàxué lǐ yǒu hěn duō kēmù kěyǐ xuǎnzé, bǐrú lìshǐ, shùxué hé shēngwùxué.

There are many branches of study to choose from at university, such as history, mathematics, and biology.
12
医学是一个复杂而重要的科，很多学生都希望学习这个专业。

Yīxué shì yīgè fùzá ér zhòngyào de kē, hěn duō xuéshēng dōu xīwàng xuéxí zhège zhuānyè.

Medicine is a complex and important branch of study, and many students hope to pursue this major.
13
经济学是我在大学选择的主修科。

Jīngjì xué shì wǒ zài dàxué xuǎnzé de zhǔxiū kē.

Economics is the major I chose at university.
14
她对艺术科很感兴趣，尤其是绘画和雕塑。

Tā duì yìshù kē hěn gǎn xìngqù, yóuqí shì huìhuà hé diāosù.

She is very interested in the branch of art, especially painting and sculpture.
15
大学的理工科课程非常受欢迎。

Dàxué de lǐgōng kē kèchéng fēicháng shòu huānyíng.

The science and engineering courses at the university are very popular.
16
他决定在研究生阶段专攻心理学科。

Tā juédìng zài yánjiūshēng jiēduàn zhuāngōng xīnlǐ xué kē.

He decided to specialize in the branch of psychology at the graduate level.

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Cultural Notes for 科

💡Did you know?

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

Compounds4
蝌kētadpole
嵙kē
犐kē
萪kē
Words containing this character20
科学kēxuéscience科學
科技kējìscience and technology
科kēfield
科学家kēxuéjiāscientist科學家
外科wàikēsurgery (branch of medicine)
科研kēyán(scientific) research
莫斯科mòsīkēMoscow, capital of Russia
学科xuékēsubject學科
前科qiánkēcriminal record
科学技术kēxuéjìshùscience and technology科學技術
高科技gāokējìhigh tech
本科běnkēundergraduate course
科幻kēhuànscience fiction
迪斯科dísīkēdisco (loanword)
科尔kē’ěrKohl (name)科爾
专科zhuānkēspecialized subject專科
科目kēmùsubject
内科nèikēinternal medicine內科
儿科érkēpediatrics兒科
教科书jiàokēshūtextbook教科書
Exercise 1 of 4

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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