专业
zhuānyè
In Chinese, the English word "major" is translated as 专业 (zhuānyè).
In an academic context, 专业 is used to refer to a student's field of study or major.
Meaning: greater in significance or importance (adj)
Which one should you use?
While the English word "major" can function as an adjective meaning "important," the Chinese word 专业 is primarily used as a noun to refer to an academic major or as an adjective meaning "professional" or "specialized."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the form 專業 can be used to mean "major."
How do you pronounce it?
zhuānyè
Did you know?
- While 专业 refers to a field of study, a student who is 'majoring' in a subject often says they are 'studying' 专业 using the verb 读, which literally means 'to read'.
- In modern Chinese slang, 专业 is often used as a standalone compliment to describe someone who is extremely skilled or 'pro' at a hobby, even if it is not their career.
- The word 专业 is composed of two characters: 专 meaning 'specialized' and 业 meaning 'industry' or 'occupation'.
Examples in context
- 你选好专业了吗Have you chosen a major yet?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has chosen a 专业.Tatoeba #5975077 by zhangxr91, translation #2777678 by CK
- 你的专业是什么？What's your major?This sentence is useful for asking what someone's 专业 is.Tatoeba #5094692 by musclegirlxyp, translation #24685 by CK
- 我的专业是宗教学。My major is comparative religion.This sentence is useful for stating what one's 专业 is.Tatoeba #3378021 by GlossaMatik, translation #3378022 by Jesse
- 我在大学学习计算机科学专业。I am studying computer science as my major in university.
- 他的专业是商务管理。His major is business administration.
- 我主修音乐。My major is music.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their university plans.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你打算选哪个专业？Nǐ dǎsuàn xuǎn nǎge zhuānyè?Which major are you planning to choose?
- 俊杰 Junjie我想选计算机专业。Wǒ xiǎng xuǎn jìsuànjī zhuānyè.I want to choose the computer science major.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那个专业很有挑战性。Nàge zhuānyè hěn yǒu tiǎozhànxìng.That major is very challenging.
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，但我很喜欢它。Shì de, dàn wǒ hěn xǐhuān tā.Yes, but I like it very much.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
