chuyên ngành
The Vietnamese word for major is chuyên ngành.
Ngành học can be used to refer to an academic program or major, while chuyên môn is used to specify a particular area of study within a major. You can also use the phrase Lĩnh vực tôi chọn to convey the idea of 'the field I choose'.
Meaning: greater in significance or importance (adj)
Which one should you use?
Ngành học is a formal way to refer to a major or academic program. Chuyên ngành is a formal term that emphasizes a specialization within a major, whereas chuyên môn is used to specify a particular area of study within a major.
Did you know?
- The word ngành in chuyên ngành originally referred to the 'branch' of a plant. This metaphor reflects how a specific field of study is seen as a branch growing from a larger body of knowledge.
- In casual conversation, students often omit the formal terms and simply say học cái gì (study what) to ask about a major. The formal chuyên ngành is typically reserved for documents and official introductions.
- The word ngành is frequently used in daily conversation to describe entire industries, such as the 'tourism industry' or the 'banking industry', not just university majors.
Examples in context
- Tôi học ngành Marketing tại đại học.I study Marketing as my major at the university.
- Cậu học gì?What do you study?
- Cậu học bộ môn gì?What is your major?
- Tôi học ngành ngôn ngữ Anh trong khóa 2022-2026.I study English Language in the 2022-2026 course.
Example conversation
Mai and Nam are discussing their university studies.
- MaiNam, chuyên ngành của bạn là gì?Nam, what is your major?
- NamMình học chuyên ngành công nghệ thông tin.I'm majoring in information technology.
- MaiNghe có vẻ khó quá nhỉ.That sounds quite difficult.
- NamĐúng vậy, nhưng mình rất thích nó.It is, but I really like it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chuyên, chuyên ngành, ngành, CC BY-SA 4.0.
