选修

• Pinyin: xuǎn xiū
• Hanzi breakdown: 选 = 辶 (walk) + 巺 (choose), to select; 修 = 亻 (person) + 攸 (study), to take a course

Meaning

To take as an elective; elective course. A course that students choose rather than being required to take.

Academic term for optional courses students can choose based on interest. Contrasts with 必修 (required/compulsory). Common in high school and university contexts. The word functions both as a verb (to take an elective) and as an adjective (elective, optional).

Examples

1. 下学期我打算选修一门西班牙语课。 Next semester I plan to take a Spanish course as an elective.
2. 这门课是选修的，不是必修的。 This course is elective, not required.
3. 大学里有很多有趣的选修课可以选择。 There are many interesting elective courses to choose from in university.

Usage Guide

Context: education, university, academics

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 你选修了什么课？(What elective courses did you take?)
• 这是一门受欢迎的选修课。(This is a popular elective course.)

Don't Say

• 我选修了数学 when math is required (Use 选修 only for optional courses, not required ones)

Origin & History

Compound of 选 (select, choose) and 修 (study, take a course), meaning to select a course to study.

Cultural Context

Generation: Students and academics

Social background: Universal