必修

• Pinyin: bì xiū
• Hanzi breakdown: 必 = must; 修 = 亻(person) + 攸, to study/cultivate

Meaning

Required; compulsory; mandatory (course). Academic subjects that must be taken.

Primarily used in educational contexts to describe courses that students must take to graduate, as opposed to electives (选修). Can also be used figuratively to describe essential skills or knowledge.

Examples

1. 大学英语是所有专业的必修课。 College English is a required course for all majors.
2. 这门数学课是理科生的必修，文科生可以选修。 This math class is required for science students, but liberal arts students can take it as an elective.
3. 沟通能力是职场人士的必修技能。 Communication skills are essential skills for professionals.

Usage Guide

Context: education, curriculum

Tone: academic

Do Say

• 这是一门必修课，不能逃课。(This is a required course — you can't skip it.)
• 必修课程一共有十二门。(There are twelve required courses in total.)

Don't Say

• 不要把'必修'用于非学业场合 (Outside academic contexts, use 必须具备的 or 必要的 rather than 必修)

Origin & History

Compound of 必 (must, certainly) + 修 (to study, cultivate), meaning must be studied.

Cultural Context

Generation: Students

Social background: Universal