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科研 (kē yán) — scientific research

Definition

科研 (kē yán) is the formal, written term for 'scientific research' — narrower and more academic than 研究 (general study/research). Use it for institutional, funded research work.

verb
scientific research

Examples

  • 科研。
    Zhè xiàng kē yán xiàng mù xū yào sān nián shí jiān.
    This research project needs three years.
  • 科研。
    Tā zài dà xué lǐ zuò kē yán gōng zuò.
    He does research work at the university.
  • 科研。
    Zhōng guó zhèng fǔ jiā dà le duì kē yán de tóu rù.
    The Chinese government has increased investment in scientific research.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

科kēscience
研yánresearch

科 (science) and 研 (research) combine to name work done in scientific research.

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
斗斗dòumeasuring tool
Sound part声符shēngfú
禾
禾hé科kē
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

科 pairs 禾, which gives the hé sound, with 斗, a measuring tool.

Open 科 →

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
石石shí
Sound part声符shēngfú
幵
幵jiān研yán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 研, the left part 石 is a stone-related component, and the right part 幵 gives the sound.

Open 研 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Science (General)

Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.