学

• Pinyin: xué
• Hanzi breakdown: 学 (simplified) = 冖 (cover/roof) + 子 (child); traditional 學 adds 爻 (teaching hands) above

Meaning

To study; to learn. A core verb expressing the act of acquiring knowledge or a skill.

Used on its own or as part of compound words such as 学习 (to study), 学生 (student), and 学校 (school). 学 can also mean 'to imitate' in some contexts.

Examples

1. 我在学中文。 I'm studying Chinese.
2. 你想学什么？ What do you want to learn?
3. 她每天学一个新的汉字。 She learns one new Chinese character every day.

Usage Guide

Context: education, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我想学做饭。(I want to learn how to cook.)
• 你学了多久中文了？(How long have you been studying Chinese?)

Don't Say

• 把'学'和'教'混用。(Don't confuse 学 with 教 — 学 means to learn, 教 means to teach)

Origin & History

The character 学 (simplified from 學) depicts two hands (爻) above a child (子) under a roof — the image of adults teaching a child, symbolising learning.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal