學習 / 学习
xuéxí
To learn in Mandarin is to say 學習 / 学习 (xuéxí). Wiktionary also lists 學 / 学 (xué).
Meaning: to acquire knowledge or ability (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 學習 / 学习 | xuéxí |
| 學 / 学 | xué |
學習 / 学习 is used to describe the process of acquiring knowledge or abilities. It can function as a verb meaning 'to learn' or as a noun meaning 'learning' or 'study' depending on its position in a sentence.
Which one should you use?
The two-syllable form 學習 / 学习 is more common when referring to the general process of studying or learning a subject or skill.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 學習 / 学习 does not change its form based on tense. To indicate that a learning process has been completed, you would use particles such as 了 (le) instead of changing the verb itself.
How do you pronounce it?
xuéxí
Did you know?
- The concept of learning in Mandarin is closely tied to the word 習, which originally referred to the way young birds practice flying by flapping their wings.
- In a political or social context, 學習 (xuéxí) can mean 'to emulate' or 'to follow the example of' a specific person or ideology, rather than just studying a book.
- The character for 'learn', 學, contains the component for 'child' 子 at its base, visually representing a child underneath a roof or cover.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢学习中文。I enjoy learning Chinese.
- 我正在研究中国历史。I am studying Chinese history.
- 他一直在钻研数学问题。He has been studying mathematical problems.
- 我正在学中文。I am learning Chinese.
- 我正在弄明白这个问题。I am figuring out this problem.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “learn” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
