Learn a Chinese Character - 科

1. Character Basics

Radical: 禾 (grain radical)

Stroke Count: 9

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: kē

3. Meaning

English meaning: branch, department, section, science

4. Common Words

• 科学 (kē xué) - science
• 科目 (kē mù) - subject, course
• 科技 (kē jì) - technology
• 科室 (kē shì) - department (in a hospital or organization)
• 本科 (běn kē) - undergraduate course

5. Grammar & Usage

Usage notes:

• 通常用作名词，表示类别、部门或学科
• 常见于复合词中
• 可以作为量词使用，如"一科考试"

6. Cultural Background

The character "科" has historical significance in Chinese culture as it was part of the imperial examination system (科举制度). In modern times, it is widely used in educational, scientific, and organizational contexts, reflecting China's emphasis on education and technology.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Mnemonic: The character "科" consists of "禾" (grain) and "斗" (measure). Imagine measuring grains with a dou, which requires scientific methods.