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March 24, 2026
开学(開學)kāixué(kai1xue2)
开学 (kāi xué) refers to the opening of a new school term or semester, particularly in primary, secondary, and higher education. It signifies the beginning of academic activities and is commonly used in contexts related to schools and universities, marking an important transition for students returning to their studies.
Frequency#11900DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, the start of a new school term is marked by various traditions, such as ceremonies and gatherings. It often symbolizes new beginnings and the renewal of academic pursuits, reflecting the cultural value placed on education.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large school gate opening wide, welcoming students back in after a long break. The character 开 (kāi) looks like an open door, while 学 (xué) resembles a person sitting at a desk learning. Together, they signify the opening of a new learning journey.
Meanings of 开学
kāixué(kai1xue2)
1foundation of a University or College
2school opening
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About 开学
开学Simplified
開學Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 开学
Podcast: 开学
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AI Study Notes for 开学
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large school gate opening wide, welcoming students back in after a long break. The character 开 (kāi) looks like an open door, while 学 (xué) resembles a person sitting at a desk learning. Together, they signify the opening of a new learning journey.
Usage Notes
This term is typically used in informal contexts when discussing the start of school. Be mindful of tone when pronouncing it; incorrect tones can change the word's meaning. Common phrases include '开学季' (kāi xué jì) for the back-to-school season.
HSK Study Tips
Although not explicitly listed in HSK, this term is relevant for HSK 3 and above, where students learn vocabulary related to education. Focus on using it in sentences about school life and pairing it with other education-related vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In China, the start of a new school term is marked by various traditions, such as ceremonies and gatherings. It often symbolizes new beginnings and the renewal of academic pursuits, reflecting the cultural value placed on education.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 开学 with other school-related terms. For instance, using '开学' to mean 'school' itself is incorrect; rather, it specifically denotes the opening of the term. A correct usage would be '我开学了' (I have started school).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 开学
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Cultural Notes for 开学
🏮Cultural insight
In China, the start of a new school term is marked by various traditions, such as ceremonies and gatherings. It often symbolizes new beginnings and the renewal of academic pursuits, reflecting the cultural value placed on education.
Frequently Asked Questions about 开学
You can say '开学的时候，我很紧张' which means 'I am very nervous at the start of the new term.'
The opposite would be 放假 (fàng jià), which means 'to have a vacation or break from school.'
No, 开学 can refer to the start of any school term, including primary and secondary schools.
