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攻读 (gōng dú) — to major in (a field of study); to study intensively for an advanced degree (e.g. master's, PhD)

Definition

攻读 focuses on the effort of studying intensively for a higher degree, not just picking a major — stronger and more goal-oriented than 深造 ('to further one's studies'), which is broader and often means going abroad.

verb
to major in (a field of study)to study intensively for an advanced degree (e.g. master's, PhD)

Examples

  • 攻读。
    Tā jué dìng gōng dú xīn lǐ xué.
    She decided to major in psychology.
  • 攻读。
    Tā zhèng zài guó wài gōng dú bó shì xué wèi.
    He is studying abroad for a doctoral degree.
  • 攻读。
    Tā dà xué shí gōng dú le jīng jì xué hé shù xué.
    In college, he majored in economics and mathematics.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

攻gōngstudy
读dúread

攻 (study) and 读 (read) combine to mean intensive study toward a degree.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攵Written in full as攴pūhand holding a tool or weapon
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng攻gōng
Same sound today

攻 puts 工, which gives the pronunciation, beside 攵, a hand holding a tool or weapon.

Open 攻 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 讀; 读 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánto say
Sound part声符shēngfú
𧶠
𧶠𧶠讀dú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 讀 is made of 言 ('to say') and 𧶠 (giving the sound); this description is about 讀, not 读.

Open 读 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9School & Education

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.