辅修
fǔ xiū
The English phrase "minor degree" is translated into Chinese as 辅修 (fǔ xiū).
辅修 refers to a secondary subject of study at a college or university that accompanies a student's major.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 辅 (fǔ), meaning auxiliary or secondary and 修 (xiū), meaning to study or repair.
Which one should you use?
辅修 is used specifically for a minor, whereas 主修 is used to refer to a major.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan and Hong Kong, the formal term 副修学位 (fù xiū xué wèi) is widely used for "minor degree".
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify the subject of the minor, you can add 专业 (zhuānyè), meaning 'major' or 'specialty', after the term to create 辅修专业. If you are describing a completed action, such as having minored in a subject, you can add the particle 了 (le) after 辅修.
How do you pronounce it?
fǔ xiū
Did you know?
- The character 辅 in 辅修 originally referred to the side-pieces of a carriage or a supporting hand, grounding the academic concept of a 'minor' in the physical act of providing structural support.
- The word 修 in 辅修 is the same character used for 'cultivating' one's mind or character, framing the pursuit of a minor degree as a form of holistic self-improvement.
- While the English word 'minor' describes something small in size or importance, the Chinese 辅 specifically means 'auxiliary' or 'supportive', focusing on the role the subject plays rather than its size.
Examples in context
- 你知道吗，我还辅修了经济学 (nǐ zhī dào ma, wǒ hái fǔ xiū le jīng jì xué)Did you know I also have a minor in Economics?
- 他在大学辅修了经济学。Tā zài dàxué fǔxiū le jīngjì xué.He minored in economics at university.
- 我想辅修心理学。Wǒ xiǎng fǔxiū xīnlǐ xué.I want to minor in psychology.
- 她的辅修专业是日语。Tā de fǔxiū zhuānyè shì Rìyǔ.Her minor is Japanese.
Example conversation
Two college students are discussing their academic plans.
- 伟 Wei佳怡，你这学期选了什么课？Jiāyí, nǐ zhè xuéqī xuǎnle shénme kè?Jiayi, what classes did you take this semester?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我选了几门辅修课程。Wǒ xuǎnle jǐ mén fǔxiū kèchéng.I took a few minor courses.
- 伟 Wei你决定辅修法语了吗？Nǐ juédìng fǔxiū Fǎyǔ le ma?Did you decide to minor in French?
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，我对法语很感兴趣。Shì de, wǒ duì Fǎyǔ hěn gǎn xìngqù.Yes, I am very interested in French.
