How to Say "Scientist" in Chinese

科学家

kēxuéjiā

The English word "scientist" is translated into Chinese as 科学家 (kēxuéjiā).

科学家 is a noun used to describe a person whose activities make use of the scientific method.

Meaning: one whose activities make use of the scientific method (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of 科学 (science) and 家 (expert/specialist).

The suffix 家 is used to denote a person who is an expert or a specialist in a particular field, such as in 艺术家 (artist) or 数学家 (mathematician).

kēxuéjiā

The word for 'science' 科学 is a relatively modern creation. It was coined in the 19th century by Japanese scholars using Chinese characters to translate the Western concept of 'science'.
In Chinese, the term 科学家 is often used with a level of reverence that exceeds the neutral English 'scientist'. It frequently implies a level of mastery and prestige akin to a 'great master'.
While 家 now means 'expert' in 科学家, its primary meaning is 'home' or 'family'. In a historical context, an expert was someone who had established a 'house' or school of thought.

他想成为科学家。
He wants to be a scientist in the future.
This sentence is useful for expressing a future career goal with 科学家.
Tatoeba #1733473 by sadhen, translation #299530 by CK
我完全不是科学家。
I am not a scientist at all.
This sentence is useful for making a negative statement about one's identity with 科学家.
Tatoeba #7771668 by jiangche, translation #7794441 by sharris123
这个科学家正在研究原子能。
The scientist is working on atomic energy.
This sentence is useful for describing a specific person's current research activities with 科学家.
Tatoeba #1366049 by sadhen, translation #49302 by zumley
那位科学家赢得了诺贝尔奖。
That scientist won the Nobel Prize.
我梦想着成为一名科学家。
I dream of becoming a scientist.
7 more sentences on Tatoeba

Zhiqiang and Yuting are discussing a news article about a new discovery.

志强 Zhiqiang

这篇文章由一位著名的科学家写。
Zhè piān wénzhāng yóu yī wèi zhùmíng de kēxuéjiā xiě.
This article was written by a famous scientist.
雨婷 Yuting

他发现了什么新东西吗？
Tā fāxiànle shénme xīn dōngxī ma?
Did he discover something new?
志强 Zhiqiang

是的，这位科学家找到了新的疫苗。
Shì de, zhè wèi kēxuéjiā zhǎodàole xīn de yìmiáo.
Yes, this scientist found a new vaccine.
雨婷 Yuting

那真是太了不起了！
Nà zhēnshì tài liǎobùqǐ le!
That is truly amazing!

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏