科學 / 科学
kēxué
The English word 'science' is translated into Chinese as 科學 / 科学 (kēxué).
Meaning: collective discipline of learning acquired through the scientific method (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 科學 / 科学 | kēxué | |
| 科學 / 科学 | kho-ha̍k | Hokkien |
The term refers to the collective discipline of learning acquired through the scientific method.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 科 means branch of study or discipline.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Dungan language, the word куәщүә is used. In Hokkien, the term is 科學 / 科学.
How do you pronounce it?
kho-ha̍k
Did you know?
- The character 科 originally referred to a 'stalk' of grain, later evolving to mean a 'category' or 'department' in the imperial examination system.
- The term 科學 was actually coined by Japanese translators during the 19th century to translate Western scientific concepts, and it was later adopted into the Chinese lexicon.
- While 科學 is the standard term, in very old Chinese texts you will find the concept of science discussed through the lens of 格物, which means 'investigating things'.
Examples in context
- 这本书介绍了现代科学的原理与方法。This book introduces the principles and methods of modern science.
- 科普节目很有趣，可以了解许多新奇的科学知识。Popular science programs are interesting, they provide a lot of fascinating scientific knowledge.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “science” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 科學, CC BY-SA 4.0.
