理科

• Pinyin: lǐ kē
• Hanzi breakdown: 理 = 王 (jade radical) + 里 (inside — natural order/principle); 科 = 禾 (grain) + 斗 (measure — branch/category)

Meaning

The natural sciences; science subjects as a curriculum category. In Chinese secondary education, the division between 理科 (sciences) and 文科 (humanities).

Encompasses mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and related subjects. At the gaokao (university entrance examination) level, students choose either the 理科 or 文科 track, which determines the universities and programmes available to them. A fundamental structural division in China's education system.

Examples

1. 她从高中起就选择了理科，立志成为一名工程师。 She chose the science track in high school and set her sights on becoming an engineer.
2. 理科生在数学和逻辑推理方面通常受到更为系统的训练。 Science-track students are usually trained more systematically in math and logical reasoning.
3. 近年来国家大力推动理科教育改革，鼓励学生投身科技创新。 In recent years, the country has strongly promoted reforms in science education, encouraging students to pursue scientific and technological innovation.

Usage Guide

Context: education, academia, career planning

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 选择理科还是文科，对学生未来的职业发展方向有深远的影响。(Choosing the science or humanities track has a profound impact on a student's future career direction.)
• 他虽然学的是理科，但对文学和历史同样有浓厚的兴趣。(Although he studied science, he has an equally keen interest in literature and history.)

Don't Say

• 将理科用于泛指所有大学专业 — 理科特指中学及高考体制中的自然科学方向，泛指学科门类时应用'学科'或'专业'

Origin & History

理 (principles/rational order) + 科 (department/branch of study)

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal