研究所

• Pinyin: yán jiū suǒ
• Hanzi breakdown: 研 = 石 (stone) + 开, to grind/study; 究 = 穴 (cave) + 九, to investigate; 所 = place/institution

Meaning

Research institute; research center. An organization dedicated to scientific or academic research.

Can refer to government-funded institutes, university-affiliated research centers, or private research organizations. In China, 研究所 often implies a formal, established institution with significant resources. Also short for graduate school in some contexts (研究生院 shortened to 研究所 in Taiwan).

Examples

1. 他毕业后进入了中国科学院的一家研究所工作。 After graduation, he joined a research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2. 这个研究所主要从事人工智能方面的研究。 This research institute mainly engages in artificial intelligence research.
3. 研究所的专家们正在开发新型疫苗。 Experts at the research institute are developing a new vaccine.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, scientific, professional

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 她在研究所做博士后研究。(She is doing postdoctoral research at the institute.)
• 这家研究所很有名。(This research institute is very famous.)

Don't Say

• 我去研究所学习 (研究所 is for research, not regular study — use 学校 or 大学 for studying)

Origin & History

Compound of 研究 (research) and 所 (place/institution). The suffix 所 indicates a place or establishment.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated/Professional