verb HSK 5
Traditional 求學
qiú xué
to seek education · to pursue one's studies · to attend school

Meaning

求学 literally means 'to seek learning' and refers to the act of pursuing education, typically away from home. It emphasizes the active pursuit of knowledge and often implies studying at a school, college, or university, sometimes in another city or country.

Usage

This is a somewhat formal or literary term commonly used in written Chinese and formal speech. It often appears in contexts discussing studying abroad, leaving home for education, or the broader pursuit of academic goals. Native speakers might use it when describing someone's educational journey, especially when emphasizing dedication or sacrifice involved in seeking education.

Examples

  1. 01
    他十五岁就离开家乡到北京求学
    shí suì jiù kāi jiā xiāng dào Běijīng qiú xué.
    He left his hometown to pursue his studies in Beijing at age fifteen.
  2. 02
    越来越多的中国学生选择到海外求学
    Yuè lái yuè duō de Zhōngguó xué shēng xuǎn dào hǎi wài qiú xué.
    More and more Chinese students choose to pursue their education overseas.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 外出求学
    wài chū qiú xué
    to leave home to pursue studies
  • 求学之路
    qiú xué zhī
    the path of pursuing education
  • 求学经历
    qiú xué jīng
    educational experience
  • 到国外求学
    dào guó wài qiú xué
    to pursue studies abroad

Antonyms

Origin

Combines 求 (to seek/request) with 学 (learning/study), creating a compound that emphasizes the active, deliberate pursuit of education rather than passive reception.

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