kexue: 科学 - Science, Scientific

• Keywords: kexue, 科学, what is science in Chinese, Chinese word for science, scientific method in Chinese, kexue meaning, Chinese for scientist, science and technology in China.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 科学 (kēxué), the word for science. This page provides a complete guide for beginners, explaining not only its direct translation but also its use as an adjective meaning “scientific” or “logical.” Discover the cultural significance of 科学 in modern China's development, see practical examples of how it's used in daily conversation, and learn to distinguish it from related concepts like technology (技术, jìshù).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kēxué
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: Science; or, as an adjective, scientific and methodical.
• In a Nutshell: 科学 (kēxué) is the direct Chinese equivalent of the English word “science.” It encompasses the systematic study of the world, including fields like physics and biology. Crucially for learners, it's also frequently used as an adjective to describe a method, plan, or explanation as being logical, rational, and evidence-based. If something “makes sense” from a practical, systematic standpoint, you can say it's very “科学”.

• 科 (kē): This character originally related to classifying or measuring. In modern Chinese, it signifies a “branch,” “division,” or “department.” Think of it as a specific branch of knowledge.
• 学 (xué): This character means “to study” or “to learn.” It's a fundamental component of words related to education, like 学生 (xuésheng - student) and 学校 (xuéxiào - school).
• Together, 科学 (kēxué) literally translates to “the study of branches” or “classified learning.” This beautifully captures the essence of science as a system for organizing and understanding knowledge about the world.

The concept of 科学 (kēxué) is central to understanding modern China. The term itself was imported from Japan in the late 19th century to translate the Western concept of “science,” which is based on hypothesis, experimentation, and a theoretical framework. This contrasts with traditional Chinese systems of knowledge. While ancient China was a powerhouse of invention (e.g., gunpowder, paper, the compass), these were often products of empirical observation and practical craftsmanship rather than a formalized “scientific method.” In contemporary China, 科学 is not just an academic area; it is a pillar of national policy and a core cultural value. Deng Xiaoping's famous declaration, “科学技术是第一生产力” (kēxué jìshù shì dìyī shēngchǎnlì) — “Science and technology are the primary productive force” — set the stage for the nation's rapid economic development. Unlike in some Western cultures where “science vs. faith” can be a point of social debate, in China, 科学 is promoted almost as a state-endorsed worldview for progress, problem-solving, and achieving national strength. It represents modernity, rationality, and the path away from what might be considered “feudal” or “superstitious” (迷信, míxìn) ways of thinking.

科学 is an incredibly versatile word used in many contexts. As a Noun (Science): It is used to refer to the general field of science or a specific academic subject.

• 我对科学很感兴趣。 (Wǒ duì kēxué hěn gǎn xìngqù.) - I'm very interested in science.
• 他的专业是生命科学。 (Tā de zhuānyè shì shēngmìng kēxué.) - His major is life science.

As an Adjective (Scientific, Logical, Rational): This is a very common usage that English speakers should master. It's used to praise something for being well-thought-out, efficient, or healthy. Conversely, 不科学 (bù kēxué) means “unscientific,” but is used broadly to mean “illogical,” “unreasonable,” or “unhealthy.”

• 你的减肥计划很科学。 (Nǐ de jiǎnféi jìhuà hěn kēxué.) - Your weight-loss plan is very scientific (i.e., sensible and well-balanced).
• 每天只睡四个小时太不科学了。 (Měitiān zhǐ shuì sì ge xiǎoshí tài bù kēxué le.) - Sleeping only four hours a day is very unscientific (i.e., unhealthy and unsustainable).

• Example 1:
  • 我们要用科学的方法解决问题。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yào yòng kēxué de fāngfǎ jiějué wèntí.
  • English: We need to use scientific methods to solve problems.
  • Analysis: Here, 科学 functions as an adjective modifying 方法 (fāngfǎ), meaning “method.” This highlights the need for a logical, evidence-based approach.
• Example 2:
  • 他是一位伟大的科学家。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yí wèi wěidà de kēxuéjiā.
  • English: He is a great scientist.
  • Analysis: 科学 forms the root of the word 科学家 (kēxuéjiā - scientist), which literally means “science specialist” or “science family.”
• Example 3:
  • 这篇文章缺乏科学依据。
  • Pinyin: Zhè piān wénzhāng quēfá kēxué yījù.
  • English: This article lacks a scientific basis.
  • Analysis: This is a formal way of saying a claim is unsubstantiated. 依据 (yījù) means “basis” or “evidence.”
• Example 4:
  • 合理饮食和规律运动才最科学。
  • Pinyin: Hélǐ yǐnshí hé guīlǜ yùndòng cái zuì kēxué.
  • English: A reasonable diet and regular exercise are the most scientific (i.e., sensible/healthy).
  • Analysis: This is a prime example of using 科学 to mean “the most rational or healthy way.” It's not about lab coats, but about a logical approach to health.
• Example 5:
  • 科学技术的发展改变了我们的生活。
  • Pinyin: Kēxué jìshù de fāzhǎn gǎibiànle wǒmen de shēnghuó.
  • English: The development of science and technology has changed our lives.
  • Analysis: The compound 科学技术 (kēxué jìshù), often shortened to 科技 (kējì), is extremely common in discussions about progress and modernity in China.
• Example 6:
  • 他的解释听起来很科学，但实际上是错的。
  • Pinyin: Tā de jiěshì tīng qǐlái hěn kēxué, dàn shíjìshang shì cuò de.
  • English: His explanation sounds very scientific, but it's actually wrong.
  • Analysis: This shows that 科学 can describe the appearance of being logical, even if the content is flawed.
• Example 7:
  • 你不能完全相信所谓的“科学”算命。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng wánquán xiāngxìn suǒwèi de “kēxué” suànmìng.
  • English: You can't completely believe in so-called “scientific” fortune-telling.
  • Analysis: The quotation marks around 科学 indicate skepticism. It shows how the word's authority can be co-opted to lend credibility to pseudoscientific practices.
• Example 8:
  • 对孩子进行科学教育非常重要。
  • Pinyin: Duì háizi jìnxíng kēxué jiàoyù fēicháng zhòngyào.
  • English: It is very important to give children a science education.
  • Analysis: A straightforward use of 科学 as a noun within the compound 科学教育 (kēxué jiàoyù - science education).
• Example 9:
  • 这种管理方式一点也不科学。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng guǎnlǐ fāngshì yìdiǎnr yě bù kēxué.
  • English: This management style is not at all scientific (i.e., it's inefficient and illogical).
  • Analysis: A common complaint in a workplace or organization. 不科学 (bù kēxué) is a powerful but common critique of a system or process.
• Example 10:
  • 任何科学理论都必须经得起实验的检验。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé kēxué lǐlùn dōu bìxū jīng de qǐ shíyàn de jiǎnyàn.
  • English: Any scientific theory must be able to withstand the test of experimentation.
  • Analysis: This sentence captures the core philosophy of the scientific method. It links 科学 with 理论 (lǐlùn - theory) and 实验 (shíyàn - experiment).

• Mistaking 科学 (kēxué) for 技术 (jìshù): This is the most common pitfall.
  • 科学 (kēxué) is the theory and knowledge. It's about understanding why things work. (e.g., Physics, Biology).
  • 技术 (jìshù) is the application and skill. It's about how to make things work. (e.g., Computer programming, engineering).
  • Incorrect: 我在学习手机科学。 (Wǒ zài xuéxí shǒujī kēxué.)
  • Correct: 我在学习手机维修技术。 (Wǒ zài xuéxí shǒujī wéixiū jìshù.) - I am learning phone repair technology/skills.
• Overusing “Scientific”: In English, calling a diet “scientific” sounds a bit formal or nerdy. In Chinese, saying a diet is 很科学 (hěn kēxué) is a very common and natural compliment, meaning it's well-balanced and sensible. Don't be afraid to use it this way.
• Understanding 不科学 (bù kēxué): Remember that “unscientific” in Chinese has a much broader meaning than in English. It's a go-to word for criticizing anything as “illogical,” “inefficient,” or “unhealthy.”
  • Example: “Waking up at noon and going to bed at 4 AM is 不科学.” This doesn't mean it defies the laws of physics; it means it's a bad, unhealthy lifestyle.

• 技术 (jìshù) - Technology; skill. The practical application of 科学.
• 科学家 (kēxuéjiā) - Scientist. A person who works in the field of 科学.
• 迷信 (míxìn) - Superstition. Often presented as the direct opposite of 科学.
• 理论 (lǐlùn) - Theory. A core component of the scientific process.
• 实验 (shíyàn) - Experiment; test. The method used to verify scientific theories.
• 知识 (zhīshi) - Knowledge. The general outcome of learning and scientific discovery.
• 学科 (xuékē) - Academic subject; discipline. 科学 is a major category of 学科.
• 物理 (wùlǐ) - Physics. A specific field of 科学.
• 化学 (huàxué) - Chemistry. A specific field of 科学.
• 哲学 (zhéxué) - Philosophy. The study of fundamental questions, sometimes seen as a precursor or parallel to 科学.