攻读

• Pinyin: gōng dú
• Hanzi breakdown: 攻 = to tackle with focused effort; 读 = 讠 (speech radical) + 卖 — to read, study

Meaning

To study intensively; to pursue a degree. To devote oneself with determination to academic study, especially at the postgraduate level.

Most commonly used for pursuing advanced degrees: 攻读博士 (pursuing a PhD), 攻读硕士学位 (studying for a master's degree). The 攻 component conveys a sense of tackling a formidable intellectual challenge with focused resolve. Also used for intensive self-study of a difficult subject outside formal education.

Examples

1. 她辞掉工作，全身心投入攻读法律博士学位的各项准备。 She quit her job and devoted herself fully to preparing to pursue a doctorate in law.
2. 他目前正在海外一所知名高校攻读计算机科学硕士。 He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in computer science at a well-known university overseas.
3. 为了攻读这门艰深的古典哲学，他专门自学了古希腊语。 To pursue this profound field of classical philosophy, he taught himself Ancient Greek.

Usage Guide

Context: education, academia, postgraduate study

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她正在攻读国际关系专业的博士学位。(She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in international relations.)
• 他利用业余时间系统攻读法律知识，顺利通过了司法考试。(He used his spare time to study legal knowledge intensively and successfully passed the bar exam.)

Don't Say

• 用'攻读'描述轻松的休闲阅读 — 攻读 implies intense, goal-directed study; use 阅读 or 翻阅 for casual reading

Origin & History

攻 (to tackle; to devote focused effort to) + 读 (to read; to study)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated speakers