科学

• Reading: かがく
• Romaji: kagaku
• Kanji breakdown: 科 (ka) — branch, department; 学 (gaku/mana) — study, learning
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɡa.kɯ/

Meaning

Science. The systematic study of the natural world through observation and experiment.

A noun combining 科 (branch, department) and 学 (study). Refers to science in general or as a school subject. Note the homophone 化学 (kagaku, chemistry), which has the same pronunciation but different kanji. To avoid confusion in speech, chemistry is sometimes called ばけがく informally.

Examples

1. 科学の実験はとても楽しいです。 Science experiments are a lot of fun.
2. 科学が好きですか。 Do you like science?
3. 科学の本をたくさん読みました。 I read a lot of science books.

Usage Guide

Context: school, academics, research

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 科 (branch, division) and 学 (study, learning). Coined in the Meiji era to translate the Western concept of 'science' as the systematic study of nature through distinct branches of knowledge.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal