工科

• Pinyin: gōng kē
• Hanzi breakdown: 工 = engineering; 科 = 禾 + 斗 (a branch of learning)

Meaning

Engineering disciplines; engineering as a field of study. The branch of academia covering applied sciences and technical subjects.

One of the four major academic categories in Chinese universities (理、工、文、医). Highly valued in Chinese education due to its association with national development and reliable employment.

Examples

1. 他报考了国内顶尖大学的工科专业。 He applied to a top engineering program at one of the country’s leading universities.
2. 工科学生的就业率普遍较高。 Engineering students generally have a higher employment rate.
3. 近年来，工科与人文学科的交叉融合越来越受重视。 In recent years, the cross-disciplinary integration of engineering and the humanities has been increasingly valued.

Usage Guide

Context: education, career, academia

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 工科毕业生在制造业和科技行业有广泛的就业机会。(Engineering graduates have broad employment opportunities in manufacturing and technology industries.)
• 他选择了工科，因为他对机械设计充满热情。(He chose engineering because he is passionate about mechanical design.)

Don't Say

• 工科 for a single engineering course — use 工程课程; 工科 refers to the entire discipline or department

Origin & History

工 (engineering/work) + 科 (discipline/branch of study)

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Youth

Social background: Universal