学生

• Pinyin: xué shēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 学 = to learn; 生 = pictograph of a plant growing from the earth — life/born

Meaning

Student. Refers to anyone enrolled in formal study, from primary school through university.

One of the most common nouns in Chinese. Covers all levels of education. 小学生, 中学生, and 大学生 specify primary, secondary, and university students respectively.

Examples

1. 我是一个学生。 I am a student.
2. 这个班有三十个学生。 There are thirty students in this class.
3. 那个学生学习很努力。 That student studies very hard.

Usage Guide

Context: education, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我是大学学生。(I'm a university student.)
• 学生们正在上课。(The students are in class.)

Don't Say

• 用'学生'称呼已毕业的专业人士。(Don't call a qualified professional 学生 — use their professional title after graduation)

Origin & History

学 (to learn) + 生 (person born into a role/life). Together they mean 'one born to learn' — a person whose role is to study.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal