预习

• Pinyin: yù xí
• Hanzi breakdown: 预 = 予 (give) + 页 (page/head), meaning 'in advance'; 习 = simplified from 習, originally depicting a bird practising flight

Meaning

To preview; to prepare lessons in advance. Studying material before it is taught in class.

The opposite of 复习 (to review). Refers specifically to studying new material before a lesson or lecture. A valued study habit in Chinese education. Teachers often assign preview tasks before class.

Examples

1. 老师让我们预习下一课的内容。 The teacher asked us to preview the content of the next lesson.
2. 养成预习的习惯对学习很有帮助。 Developing the habit of previewing is very helpful for learning.
3. 我今晚要预习明天的数学课。 I need to preview tomorrow's maths class tonight.

Usage Guide

Context: education, studying

Tone: studious

Do Say

• 请同学们回去预习第五课。(Students, please go home and preview Lesson 5.)
• 你预习了吗？(Have you previewed the lesson?)

Don't Say

• 我预习了昨天的考试内容。(Don't use 预习 for reviewing past material — use 复习 for review; 预习 is only for previewing future content)

Origin & History

预 (in advance, beforehand) + 习 (to study, to practise). Together: to study in advance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal