HSK · Level 57
105 words
Chinese word
选修
Pronunciation
Pinyinxuǎn xiū
Meaning
- verbtake an elective
Example
我这个学期选修了两门课。wǒ zhè ge xué qī xuǎn xiū le liǎng mén kè
I took two elective courses this semester.
More examples
因为这门课很热门，很多学生排队等着选修。yīn wèi zhè mén kè hěn rè mén hěn duō xué shēng pái duì děng zhe xuǎn xiū
Because this course is very popular, many students are waiting in line to take it as an elective.
Core concept
A student makes room in the official study plan for a chosen subject that is not required.
Common phrases
选修课程xuǎn xiū kè chéng
elective course
选修学分xuǎn xiū xué fēn
elective credits
Similar words
选课xuǎn kè: Choose courses and register for the ones to take.
修读xiū dú: Formally enroll in a course, study it, and earn its credits.
上课shàng kè: Attend a class and take part in its lessons.
旁听páng tīng: Attend a class without enrolling in it or earning its credits.
Definition in Chinese
学生在课程体系内根据兴趣或要求，从非必修课程中选择并正式登记参加学习的行为或动作。xué shēng zài kè chéng tǐ xì nèi gēn jù xìng qù huò yāo qiú cóng fēi bì xiū kè chéng zhōng xuǎn zé bìng zhèng shì dēng jì cān jiā xué xí de xíng wéi huò dòng zuò
Word origin
选 (xuǎn, "choose") + 修 (xiū, "study") combines choosing with pursuing a subject, giving the term its academic sense of selecting a non-required course for study.
Usage tips
- English treats elective mainly as a noun or adjective, so the Chinese verb maps to take or enroll in when describing the action rather than to elective itself.
Other meanings
- electivenoun
Opposites
- 退选tuì xuǎnwithdraw from an electiveverb
Related words
- 选修课xuǎn xiū kèelective coursenoun