How to Say "Calculus" in Chinese

微积分

wēijījīfēn

The Chinese word for calculus is 微积分 (wēijījīfēn). It covers differential and integral calculus as a single subject.

微积分 is the standard term for the subject in schools and universities. In academic contexts it serves as the name of the whole field.

Meaning: differential calculus and integral calculus considered as a single subject (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

微积分 is a compound of 微, meaning small or infinitesimal and 积分, meaning integral.

For the two branches separately, Chinese uses 微分学 for differential calculus and 积分学 for integral calculus. 微分与积分学 names both together.

Say it as wēijījīfēn.

The character 微 in 微积分 is also used in the word for 'microscope' 显微镜, linking the mathematical concept of the infinitesimal to the physical act of seeing the very small.
In the phrase 微积分, the component 积 (jī) does not just mean 'integral', it carries the sense of 'accumulating' or 'stacking up' something over time.
The term 微积分 is quite poetic, as it literally translates to 'small accumulation and division'.

去年我是一个微积分学助教。
Last year I was a TA for calculus.
微积分学 names the subject the speaker taught as a teaching assistant.
Tatoeba #4262372 by mng, translation #4261681 by orcrist
在这门课程中，学生将学习微积分的基本概念与原理。
In this course, students will learn the basic concepts and principles of calculus.
我在大学里学了很多数学分析。
I learned a lot of calculus in college.
微积分很难学。
Wēijīfēn hěn nán xué.
Calculus is hard to learn.
他在看微积分的课本。
Tā zài kàn wēijīfēn de kèběn.
He is looking at a calculus textbook.

Two students are studying in the library.

浩然 Haoran

佳怡，你懂这道微积分题吗？
Jiāyí, nǐ dǒng zhè dào wēijīfēn tí ma?
Jiayi, do you understand this calculus problem?
佳怡 Jiayi

我也没看懂，浩然。
Wǒ yě méi kàndǒng, Hàorán.
I don't understand it either, Haoran.
浩然 Haoran

我们一起去问老师吧。
Wǒmen yìqǐ qù wèn lǎoshī ba.
Let's go ask the teacher together.
佳怡 Jiayi

好主意，走吧。
Hǎo zhǔyì, zǒu ba.
Good idea, let's go.

Sources

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