中学

• Pinyin: zhōng xué
• Hanzi breakdown: 中 = middle; 学 = 子 (child) under a roof with hands — to study, school

Meaning

Middle school; secondary school. The stage of education between primary school and university.

In China, 中学 covers both 初中 (junior middle school, roughly ages 12-15) and 高中 (senior middle school, roughly ages 15-18). It is the general term for secondary education. Often used in phrases like 上中学 (to attend middle school) or 中学老师 (middle school teacher).

Examples

1. 我妹妹在上中学。 My younger sister is attending middle school.
2. 这所中学很有名。 This middle school is very famous.
3. 我的中学在北京。 My middle school is in Beijing.

Usage Guide

Context: education, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你在哪个中学上学？(Which middle school do you attend?)
• 她是中学老师。(She is a middle school teacher.)

Don't Say

• 我在中学校上学。(Don't add extra 校 — say 我在中学上学)

Origin & History

Compound of 中 (middle) + 学 (study/school). Literally 'middle study', referring to the middle stage of education.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal