博士

• Reading: はかせ
• Romaji: hakase
• Kanji breakdown: 博 (haku/haka) — wide, extensive; 士 (shi/se) — scholar, person of learning
• Pronunciation: /ha.ka.se/

Meaning

Expert; learned person; doctor (PhD holder). Someone with extensive knowledge in a particular field.

A noun with two common readings: はかせ (colloquial, meaning expert or knowledgeable person) and はくし (formal, specifically a doctoral degree). In everyday conversation, はかせ is often used affectionately for someone very knowledgeable about a topic.

Examples

1. 田中先生は工学の博士号を持っている。 Professor Tanaka holds a doctorate in engineering.
2. あの子は虫の博士と呼ばれている。 That kid is known as the bug expert.
3. 博士課程を修了するまで五年かかった。 It took five years to complete the doctoral program.

Usage Guide

Context: education, research, honorifics

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

Composed of 博 (wide, extensive) and 士 (scholar, person of learning). Originally referred to a widely learned person, later adopted as an academic degree title.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal