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本科 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
本科běnkēundergraduate courseHSK 4, r, rank #29060, Hard
本科běnkēundergraduate (adjective)HSK 4, r, rank #29060, Hard
本科běnkēundergraduate (attributive)HSK 4, unknown, rank #29060, Hard
běnkē(ben3ke1) T3
  1. 1undergraduate course
  2. 2undergraduate (adjective)
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March 24, 2026
本科běnkē(ben3ke1)

本科 refers to an undergraduate course or the undergraduate level of education in China. It is commonly used to describe programs that lead to a bachelor's degree, distinguishing them from both high school education and postgraduate studies.

Frequency#29060DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, the 本科 system is a critical part of the education landscape, with students often taking gaokao, the national college entrance exam, to gain admission to 本科 programs. This reflects the high value placed on higher education in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Think of 本 (běn) as 'root' or 'foundation' and 科 (kē) as 'subject' or 'branch of study.' Together, they form the 'foundation subjects' of higher education, like the roots of a tree supporting its growth.

Meanings of 本科

běnkē(ben3ke1)
1undergraduate course
2undergraduate (adjective)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 本科

本科Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#29060Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 本科

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Podcast: 本科

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AI Study Notes for 本科

Quick Contrast

本科 (běnkē) vs 研究生 (yánjiūshēng) — 本科 refers to undergraduate studies, while 研究生 denotes graduate studies.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 本 (běn) as 'root' or 'foundation' and 科 (kē) as 'subject' or 'branch of study.' Together, they form the 'foundation subjects' of higher education, like the roots of a tree supporting its growth.

Usage Notes

Undergraduate courses are often referred to in both formal and informal contexts, but make sure to use 本科 when discussing academic qualifications. Common collocations include 本科生 (bachelor student) and 本科毕业 (undergraduate graduation). Be careful with tones, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

As a HSK 5 word, 本科 connects with other education-related vocabulary at this level. Focus on understanding its usage in academic contexts and practice using it in sentences about education or qualifications.

Cultural Note

In China, the 本科 system is a critical part of the education landscape, with students often taking gaokao, the national college entrance exam, to gain admission to 本科 programs. This reflects the high value placed on higher education in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 本科 with 研究生 (yán jiū shēng), which means 'graduate student.' For example, saying '我是一名本科生' (I am a graduate student) is incorrect; it should be '我是一名本科生' (I am an undergraduate student).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 本科

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Component Characters

本běnroots or stems of plants
HSK 15 strokes木
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科kēbranch of study
HSK 69 strokes禾
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Write 本科

本
科

Practice writing 本科 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 本科

本科 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我现在才去读大学____不是有点太老了吗？

Aren't I a bit long in the tooth to start being an undergraduate?

Example Sentences for 本科 (5)

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1
我现在才去读大学本科不是有点太老了吗？

wǒ xiàn zài cái qù dú dà xué běn kē bù shì yǒu diǎn tài lǎo le ma？

Aren't I a bit long in the tooth to start being an undergraduate?
2
我看见那孩子在看一本科幻连环漫画杂志.

wǒ kàn jiàn nà hái zǐ zài kàn yī běn kē huàn lián huán màn huà zá zhì.

I saw the child reading a science fiction comic.
3
这本科技书里的一些概念很难理解.

zhè běn kē jì shū lǐ de yī xiē gài niàn hěn nán lǐ jiě.

Some ideas in this science book are hard to lay hold of.
4
所有攻读英语的本科生每周上一次导师辅导课.

suǒ yǒu gōng dú yīng yǔ de běn kē shēng měi zhōu shàng yī cì dǎo shī fǔ dǎo kè.

All undergraduates reading English attend a turtorial group each week.
5
这是为本科生开的一门课.

zhè shì wéi běn kē shēng kāi de yī mén kè.

This is a course for undergraduates.

Cultural Notes for 本科

🏮Cultural insight

In China, the 本科 system is a critical part of the education landscape, with students often taking gaokao, the national college entrance exam, to gain admission to 本科 programs. This reflects the high value placed on higher education in Chinese society.

Frequently Asked Questions about 本科

本科 translates to 'undergraduate' or 'bachelor's degree program' in English.