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科普 (kē pǔ) — (colloquial) to explain (a complex or scientific topic) in simple, layperson's terms; to popularize science

Definition

科普 (kēpǔ) means to explain a scientific or technical topic in plain, easy terms for a general audience — short for 科学普及. Use it when simplifying complex knowledge, not for casual explanation.

verb
(colloquial) to explain (a complex or scientific topic) in simplelayperson's termsto popularize science

Examples

  • 科普？
    Nǐ néng gěi wǒ kē pǔ yí xià zhè ge dào lǐ ma?
    Can you explain this principle to me in simple terms?
  • 科普。
    Wǒ gěi dà jiā kē pǔ yí xià zěn me yù fáng gǎn mào.
    Let me explain in simple terms how to prevent colds.
  • 科普。
    Tā jīng cháng zài wǎng shàng kē pǔ jiàn kāng zhī shi.
    He often explains health knowledge in simple terms online.

Origin

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 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 並並bìngside by side
  • 日日rìsun

普 is made of 日 (sun) and 並 (side by side).

Open 普 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Science (General)

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.