自然课 (zì rán kè) — natural science class (in primary school); nature study lesson

Definition

A primary-school subject combining basic science (biology, simple physics) with hands-on nature observation. Translates literally as 'nature class.'

noun
natural science class (in primary school)nature study lesson
Measure word · 节

Examples

  • 自然课。
    Wǒ xiǎo shí hou zuì xǐ huan shàng zì rán kè le.
    I liked attending nature study class the most when I was little.
  • 自然课。
    Jīn tiān de zì rán kè lǎo shī jiào wǒ men rèn shi zhí wù.
    Today's nature study teacher taught us to recognize plants.
  • 自然课。
    zì rán kè Shàng wǒ men zuò le hěn duō yǒu qù de shí yàn.
    In nature study class, we did many interesting experiments.

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.

自然natural
自zìself然ránso
偏正Modifier + head
课kèclass

'自然' (natural) and '课' (class) combine to mean a class about nature study.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

假借jiǎjièLater borrowed for its sound alone — the picture has nothing to do with today’s meaning.

自 originally drew a nose. It was borrowed purely for its sound to write 自, so the picture and the meaning are unrelated.

Open 自 →

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
火火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
肰
肰rán然rán
Same sound today

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.

Open 然 →

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 課; 课 is its simplified writing.

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

The traditional form 課 pairs 言 (to say) with 果 as a sound part; the simplified 课 is a shorthand and its right side is not a sound part.

Open 课 →

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