科

• Pinyin: kē
• Hanzi breakdown: 科 = 禾 (grain) + 斗 (measure) — originally classifying grain, extended to classification of knowledge

Meaning

Subject; department; branch of study. A field of academic study or a division within an organization.

Used in compounds like 科学 (science), 科目 (subject), 外科 (surgery department), and 内科 (internal medicine). Can refer to academic disciplines or hospital departments.

Examples

1. 你最喜欢哪一科？ Which subject do you like best?
2. 他在医院的外科工作。 He works in the surgery department at the hospital.
3. 这学期我选了五科课。 I chose five subjects this semester.

Usage Guide

Context: school, hospital, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我最喜欢的科是数学。(My favorite subject is math.)
• 你去医院挂哪一科？(Which department are you going to at the hospital?)

Don't Say

• 不要说'我学习三个科' (Don't use 个 with 科 for subjects — say 三科 or 三门课 instead)

Origin & History

Composed of 禾 (grain) and 斗 (measure). Originally meant classifying grain by type, later extended to classification of knowledge.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal