美术 in 30 Sekunden
- 美术 (měishù) is the standard Chinese term for fine arts or visual arts, focusing on painting, sculpture, and design.
- It is a key vocabulary word for students (art class) and tourists (art museums) alike.
- Unlike the broad term 艺术 (yìshù), 美术 is strictly limited to visual and plastic arts.
- It is used in professional titles like art director and in academic settings like art academies.
The term 美术 (měishù) specifically refers to the fine arts or visual arts. In the Chinese linguistic landscape, it is a compound noun formed by '美' (měi), meaning beauty or beautiful, and '术' (shù), meaning technique, skill, or art. While the broader term 艺术 (yìshù) covers all forms of art including music, dance, and theater, 美术 is strictly focused on those that are perceived through the eyes, such as painting, sculpture, architecture, and calligraphy.
- Educational Context
- In schools across China, from primary to high school, '美术课' (art class) is a mandatory part of the curriculum. It is where students learn the basics of sketching, color theory, and traditional Chinese ink painting.
- Institutional Context
- Galleries and museums are frequently termed '美术馆' (měishùguǎn). This is where the word is most commonly encountered by tourists and art enthusiasts exploring urban centers like Beijing or Shanghai.
我打算周末去中国美术馆看展览。
(Wǒ dǎsuàn zhōumò qù Zhōngguó Měishùguǎn kàn zhǎnlǎn.)
I plan to go to the National Art Museum of China this weekend to see an exhibition.
Historically, the term was adopted during the modernization of the Chinese educational system in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era, heavily influenced by the Japanese translation of Western 'Fine Arts'. Today, it encompasses both traditional Chinese styles and contemporary global movements. Whether you are discussing a child's drawing or a masterpiece in a gallery, 美术 is your go-to word for the visual aesthetic world.
Using 美术 is relatively straightforward as it functions as a standard noun. However, it often combines with other nouns to create compound terms that are essential for daily conversation.
- Subject of Study
- To say 'to study art', use '学美术' or '学习美术'. For 'art class', use '美术课'.
他从小就喜欢美术，现在是一名设计师。
(Tā cóngxiǎo jiù xǐhuān měishù, xiànzài shì yī míng shèjìshī.)
He has liked fine arts since he was a child, and now he is a designer.
When describing someone's profession, you can use '美术家' (artist), though '艺术家' (yìshùjiā) is more common for a broader sense of art. In the film and gaming industry, '美术' refers specifically to the visual design or art direction. For example, '美术指导' (art director) is a key role in movie credits.
You will encounter 美术 in several specific environments. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize its nuances.
- Academic Settings: Universities often have a '美术学院' (Academy of Fine Arts). The most famous one in China is the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA).
- Job Market: In tech companies, job postings for '美术' roles usually mean UI/UX designers, character artists, or environment artists for video games.
- Urban Life: Directional signs in cities often point toward the local '美术馆'.
这张海报的美术风格非常独特。
(Zhè zhāng hǎibào de měishù fēnggé fēicháng dútè.)
The artistic style of this poster is very unique.
Learners often struggle with the distinction between '美术' and '艺术'. While they are related, they are not interchangeable.
- Mistake: Over-generalization
- Using '美术' to describe music or dance. Correction: Use '艺术' (yìshù) for the general category of arts.
- Mistake: Confusing with 'Beauty'
- Using '美术' to mean 'beautiful' as an adjective. Correction: Use '美' (měi) or '漂亮' (piàoliang).
To expand your vocabulary, compare 美术 with these related terms:
- 艺术 (yìshù)
- The broad term for 'Art'. It includes music, film, literature, and fine arts.
- 绘画 (huìhuà)
- Specifically refers to 'painting' or 'drawing'. It is a subset of 美术.
- 设计 (shèjì)
- Refers to 'Design'. While related, design focuses on utility and problem-solving, whereas fine arts focus on expression.
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
Before '美术' became standard, Chinese people used terms like '丹青' (red and blue) or simply '画' (painting) to describe what we now call fine arts.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing 'shù' as 'sù'.
- Ignoring the tones (3rd and 4th).
- Confusing 'měi' with 'mǐ' (rice).
- Mixing up 'shù' with 'shū' (book).
- Failing to curl the tongue for 'sh'.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Characters are relatively common but '术' has several strokes.
The character '术' requires attention to stroke order.
Tones are 3rd and 4th, which is a common combination.
Easily recognizable in context.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Noun as Adjective
美术老师 (Art teacher)
Verb + Noun Object
学美术 (Study art)
Location + Verb
在美术馆看画 (Look at paintings in the art gallery)
Measure Words for Art
一幅画 (A painting)
Possessive 'de'
他的美术作品 (His artworks)
Beispiele nach Niveau
我喜欢美术课。
I like art class.
Subject + Verb + Noun Phrase
美术老师很好。
The art teacher is very good.
Noun as an adjective modifying 'teacher'
这是我的美术书。
This is my art book.
Possessive + Noun
你有美术课吗？
Do you have art class?
Question with 'ma'
美术很有意思。
Art is very interesting.
Subject + Adjective phrase
我不学美术。
I don't study art.
Negative sentence with 'bu'
美术教室在那儿。
The art classroom is over there.
Location sentence
星期一有美术课。
There is art class on Monday.
Time + Verb + Object
周末我们去美术馆吧。
Let's go to the art gallery this weekend.
Suggestion with 'ba'
他在美术馆工作。
He works in an art gallery.
Location + Verb
这张美术作品很漂亮。
This artwork is very beautiful.
Measure word 'zhang' for art
你想买美术用具吗？
Do you want to buy art supplies?
Auxiliary verb 'xiang'
他是一个美术天才。
He is an art genius.
Noun as a modifier
我买了一本美术杂志。
I bought an art magazine.
Completed action with 'le'
这家书店有很多美术书。
This bookstore has many art books.
Existential 'you'
美术课需要带画笔。
You need to bring brushes for art class.
Necessity verb 'xuyao'
美术对我的生活很重要。
Art is very important to my life.
Preposition 'dui'
他被美术学院录取了。
He was accepted by the Academy of Fine Arts.
Passive voice 'bei'
这个电影的美术设计很棒。
The art design of this movie is great.
Compound noun phrase
美术馆的展览每个月都换。
The exhibitions at the art gallery change every month.
'dou' for 'all'
学习美术可以培养创造力。
Studying art can cultivate creativity.
Abstract subject
他参加了全国美术比赛。
He participated in the national art competition.
Verb 'canjia'
美术作品反映了社会现实。
Artworks reflect social reality.
Abstract verb 'fanying'
她是著名的美术教育家。
She is a famous art educator.
Suffix '-jia' for experts
这种美术风格起源于十九世纪。
This artistic style originated in the 19th century.
Verb 'qiyuan yu'
美术馆正在展出齐白石的作品。
The art gallery is exhibiting Qi Baishi's works.
Progressive aspect 'zhengzai'
他专门研究中国传统美术。
He specializes in traditional Chinese fine arts.
Adverb 'zhuanmen'
美术在现代设计中占有重要地位。
Art plays an important role in modern design.
Idiomatic 'zhanyou... diwei'
这部动画的美术风格非常怀旧。
The art style of this animation is very nostalgic.
Adjective 'huaijiu'
他致力于推广美术普及教育。
He is committed to promoting popular art education.
Verb 'zhili yu'
美术界的专家对此有不同看法。
Experts in the art world have different views on this.
Noun 'jie' for 'world/circles'
这幅画体现了极高的美术价值。
This painting embodies extremely high artistic value.
Verb 'tixian'
美术的社会功能不容忽视。
The social function of fine arts cannot be ignored.
Idiom 'burong hushi'
他撰写了一部关于美术史的巨著。
He wrote a monumental work on art history.
Formal verb 'zhuanxie'
当代美术呈现出多元化的趋势。
Contemporary fine arts show a trend of diversification.
Abstract noun 'qushi'
美术馆的数字化转型势在必行。
The digital transformation of art galleries is imperative.
Idiom 'shizai bixing'
美术作品的审美意蕴非常深厚。
The aesthetic connotation of the artwork is very profound.
Formal noun '意蕴'
他试图通过美术表达对生命的思考。
He tries to express his thoughts on life through art.
Preposition 'tongguo'
美术批评应该保持客观中立。
Art criticism should remain objective and neutral.
Modal 'yinggai'
这种美术形式在民间广为流传。
This form of art is widely circulated among the people.
Passive meaning with 'liuchuan'
美术作为意识形态的载体具有复杂性。
Fine arts as a carrier of ideology possess complexity.
Formal 'zuowei... de zaiti'
该论文深入探讨了美术与权力的关系。
The paper explores the relationship between art and power in depth.
Formal 'shenru tantao'
美术的边界在不断地被解构与重塑。
The boundaries of art are constantly being deconstructed and reshaped.
Passive markers 'bei'
古典美术的严谨与现代美术的奔放形成了对比。
The rigor of classical art contrasts with the unbridled nature of modern art.
Contrastive structure
美术馆不仅仅是藏品的陈列所，更是文化交流的场域。
An art museum is not just a display place for collections, but a field for cultural exchange.
Correlative 'bujinjin... gengshi'
这种美术语言的运用达到了炉火纯青的地步。
The use of this artistic language has reached a state of perfection.
Idiom 'luhuochunqing'
美术创作中的主体性意识在此时期觉醒。
Subjective consciousness in artistic creation awakened during this period.
Philosophical terminology
美术的商品化趋势引起了学术界的广泛争议。
The commercialization trend of fine arts has caused widespread controversy in academia.
Causative structure
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— To study fine arts.
他打算去法国学美术。
— To hold an art exhibition.
学校下周要办美展。
— Foundational skills in art.
他的美术功底非常深厚。
— The art world/circles.
他在美术界很有影响力。
— Artistic calligraphy/fonts.
黑板上写着漂亮的美术字。
— Animated film (old term).
小时候我喜欢看美术片。
— Art club.
我加入了学校的美术社。
— Department of Fine Arts.
他是美术系的学生。
— Art editor.
她在出版社当美术编辑。
— Art salon.
他们经常参加美术沙龙。
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Yìshù is broader (includes music/dance), Měishù is just visual arts.
Měigōng is often commercial/manual art, Měishù is fine arts.
Huìhuà is specifically painting/drawing, Měishù includes sculpture/architecture.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— Adding the finishing touch that brings something to life.
这句话真是画龙点睛。
Literary— A master painter with a skilled hand.
这位老先生真是妙手丹青。
Literary— Lifelike; as if alive.
画中的鸟栩栩如生。
Neutral— To reach a state of perfection in art/skill.
他的画技已经到了出神入化的地步。
Formal— To have a well-thought-out plan (from painting bamboo).
他画画前总是胸有成竹。
Neutral— To make something already good even better.
这幅画加上框是锦上添花。
Neutral— To have a unique style.
他的美术风格别具一格。
Neutral— Wonderful workmanship excelling nature.
这件雕塑真是巧夺天工。
Formal— To work with great care and precision.
这件作品经过了精雕细刻。
Neutral— To write or paint with a flourishing brush.
他在纸上挥毫泼墨。
LiteraryLeicht verwechselbar
Both end in 'shù'.
Jìshù means technology/skill, Měishù is fine arts.
这项技术很先进。
Both end in 'shù'.
Shǒushù means surgery.
他需要做手术。
Both end in 'shù'.
Xuéshù means academic/academia.
这是一篇学术论文。
Both start with 'měi'.
Měilì is an adjective meaning beautiful.
这里的风景很美丽。
Old term for cartoons.
Modern speakers usually say '动画片' (dònghuàpiàn).
我喜欢看美术片。
Satzmuster
我喜欢[Subject]。
我喜欢美术。
我们要去[Place]。
我们要去美术馆。
他考上了[School]。
他考上了美术学院。
这是[Person]的[Object]。
这是美术老师的画笔。
[Subject]起源于[Time]。
这种美术风格起源于唐代。
[Subject]对[Object]有影响。
美术对设计有很大影响。
[Subject]具有[Quality]。
美术作品具有深刻的内涵。
随着[Trend]，[Subject]在变化。
随着商业化，美术的本质在变化。
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Very common in educational and cultural discussions.
-
Using 美术 for music.
→
艺术
美术 is only for visual things.
-
Saying '我很美术'.
→
我喜欢美术
美术 is a noun, not an adjective like 'beautiful'.
-
Confusing 术 (shù) with 木 (mù).
→
美术
The character '术' has a dot.
-
Using '美术' for a movie without context.
→
美术设计
In movies, you need to specify 'art design'.
-
Pronouncing 'shù' with the 1st tone.
→
shù (4th tone)
The 4th tone is essential for the meaning.
Tipps
Tone Accuracy
Practice the 3rd tone of '美' to avoid sounding like 'mei' (negative).
Visit a Gallery
Try to visit a '美术馆' in a Chinese city to see the word in action.
Stroke Order
Pay attention to the strokes in '术', it's not just a cross.
Related Suffixes
Learn '-家' (specialist) to make '美术家' (artist).
Media Watch
Look for the word in the credits of Chinese movies (美术指导).
No Plurals
Remember that '美术作品' can mean one or many artworks.
Beautiful Skill
Keep the 'Beautiful Skill' translation in mind.
Hobbies
Use '美术' to talk about your hobbies in introductions.
Art History
If you are advanced, try reading about '中国美术史'.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of 'Mei' (Beautiful) + 'Shu' (Skill). Fine arts is the 'Skill of Beauty'.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a painter (Skill) creating a beautiful (Mei) sunset.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to say 'I want to go to the art museum' five times fast in Chinese: 我想去美术馆.
Wortherkunft
The term is a modern loan-translation (Wasei-kango) from the Japanese 'Bijutsu'. It was introduced to China in the late 19th century to translate the Western concept of 'Fine Arts'.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Beautiful techniques or skills of beauty.
Sino-Tibetan (Chinese characters).Kultureller Kontext
No major sensitivities, but be aware that '美术' usually excludes performing arts.
In English, 'Art' is often used where Chinese speakers would specifically use '美术'. English speakers might say 'I like art' to mean 'I like painting', but in Chinese, '美术' is more precise.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
School
- 美术课
- 美术老师
- 美术作业
- 美术器材
Tourism
- 美术馆在哪里？
- 有美术展览吗？
- 门票多少钱？
- 可以拍照吗？
Career
- 美术设计
- 美术指导
- 美术编辑
- 美术功底
Hobbies
- 学美术
- 画画儿
- 看美展
- 收藏美术品
Shopping
- 美术用品店
- 买画笔
- 美术纸
- 颜料
Gesprächseinstiege
"你喜欢美术吗？ (Do you like fine arts?)"
"你最近去过美术馆吗？ (Have you been to an art gallery recently?)"
"你小时候喜欢上美术课吗？ (Did you like art class when you were a child?)"
"你最喜欢的中国美术家是谁？ (Who is your favorite Chinese artist?)"
"你觉得美术对生活重要吗？ (Do you think art is important to life?)"
Tagebuch-Impulse
写一写你最喜欢的一件美术作品。 (Write about your favorite piece of artwork.)
描述一下你理想中的美术馆是什么样的。 (Describe what your ideal art gallery would look like.)
谈谈你对现代美术的看法。 (Talk about your views on modern art.)
如果你可以学一种美术技能，你想学什么？ (If you could learn an art skill, what would it be?)
记述一次你去美术馆参观的经历。 (Record an experience of visiting an art gallery.)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, 美术 specifically refers to visual arts. Music is part of 艺术 (yìshù).
You say 美术老师 (měishù lǎoshī).
A 美术馆 is specifically an art museum/gallery. A general museum is 博物馆 (bówùguǎn).
It usually functions as a noun, but can modify other nouns (e.g., 美术作品).
美术 is a subset of 艺术 focused on visual and plastic forms.
Yes, in roles like '美术指导' (Art Director) in advertising or film.
我是美术系的学生 (Wǒ shì měishù xì de xuésheng).
Common supplies include 画笔 (huàbǐ - brush) and 颜料 (yánliào - paint).
Yes, in China, calligraphy is a major branch of fine arts.
这里有美术展览吗？ (Zhèlǐ yǒu měishù zhǎnlǎn ma?)
Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen
Write 'I like art class' in Chinese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'He works in an art gallery' in Chinese.
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Write 'This painting is an artwork' in Chinese.
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Write 'I want to study art in college' in Chinese.
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Translate: 'The art style is very unique.'
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Translate: 'Are you an art teacher?'
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Translate: 'The museum is holding an art exhibition.'
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Write a sentence using '美术学院'.
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Write a sentence using '美术用品'.
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Translate: 'Art is important for children.'
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Write 'art director' in Chinese characters.
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Write 'art history' in Chinese characters.
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Translate: 'She has great artistic talent.'
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Translate: 'I bought an art magazine.'
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Write 'National Art Museum' in Chinese.
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Translate: 'We have art class on Mondays.'
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Translate: 'This is an art book.'
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Write 'artistic font' in Chinese characters.
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Translate: 'He is a famous artist.'
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Write a sentence about visiting a gallery.
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Say 'Fine Arts' in Chinese.
Read this aloud:
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Say 'Art Gallery' in Chinese.
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Say 'I like art' in Chinese.
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Say 'Art class' in Chinese.
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Say 'Art teacher' in Chinese.
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Say 'Let's go to the art gallery' in Chinese.
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Say 'I study art' in Chinese.
Read this aloud:
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Say 'Artwork' in Chinese.
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Say 'Artistic style' in Chinese.
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Say 'Fine Arts Academy' in Chinese.
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Say 'Art exhibition' in Chinese.
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Say 'Art supplies' in Chinese.
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Say 'Art history' in Chinese.
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Say 'Artistic talent' in Chinese.
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Say 'Art director' in Chinese.
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Say 'Art editor' in Chinese.
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Say 'Artistic font' in Chinese.
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Say 'I am an artist' in Chinese.
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Say 'This is my art book' in Chinese.
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Say 'Art is very interesting' in Chinese.
Read this aloud:
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Listen and identify: 'měishù kè'
Listen and identify: 'měishùguǎn'
Listen and identify: 'měishù lǎoshī'
Listen and identify: 'měishù zuòpǐn'
Listen and identify: 'xué měishù'
Listen and identify: 'měishù zhǎnlǎn'
Listen and identify: 'měishù xuéyuàn'
Listen and identify: 'měishù shǐ'
Listen and identify: 'měishù fēnggé'
Listen and identify: 'měishù yòngpǐn'
Listen and identify: 'měishùjiā'
Listen and identify: 'měishù tiānfù'
Listen and identify: 'měishù zhǐdǎo'
Listen and identify: 'měishù biānjí'
Listen and identify: 'měishùzì'
我喜欢美术音乐。
Add a conjunction '和' between two subjects.
他在美术馆看书。
You usually look at paintings (画) in an art gallery, not read books (unless it's a library).
他是一个美术人。
Use '家' for a professional artist.
我明天有美术个课。
No measure word needed directly before '课' in this context.
这张美术很漂亮。
美术 is the field; you need '作品' for the object.
他学了美术的历史。
It's more natural to say '美术史'.
我想去美术院。
The full term is '美术学院'.
美术馆在星期一关门。
More formal way to say closed for business.
他是一个美术天才。
Both are okay, but '很有美术天赋' is more common.
我买美术用具。
'用品' is more common for art supplies.
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
美术 (měishù) means 'fine arts' and is primarily used for visual media like painting and sculpture. Example: 我喜欢去美术馆 (I like going to art galleries).
- 美术 (měishù) is the standard Chinese term for fine arts or visual arts, focusing on painting, sculpture, and design.
- It is a key vocabulary word for students (art class) and tourists (art museums) alike.
- Unlike the broad term 艺术 (yìshù), 美术 is strictly limited to visual and plastic arts.
- It is used in professional titles like art director and in academic settings like art academies.
Context is Key
Always learn '美术' with its partners like '馆' or '课'.
Tone Accuracy
Practice the 3rd tone of '美' to avoid sounding like 'mei' (negative).
Visit a Gallery
Try to visit a '美术馆' in a Chinese city to see the word in action.
Stroke Order
Pay attention to the strokes in '术', it's not just a cross.
Beispiel
她从小就喜欢美术。
Verwandte Inhalte
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Mehr academic Wörter
缺席
B1Abwesenheit von einem Ort oder einer Veranstaltung, bei der man erwartet wird.
抽象的
A2Nicht gegenständlich oder nur gedanklich vorhanden.
抽象地
B1In an abstract manner; conceptually.
艰深
B1Profound; abstruse; recondite.
学术性
A2Academic; scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学术化
B1Akademisierung: der Prozess, etwas akademisch oder wissenschaftlich zu gestalten.
学术会议
A2Academic conference; a formal meeting for academic discussions.
学术交流
B1Exchange of ideas, information, and research among scholars.
学术期刊
B1Eine wissenschaftliche Zeitschrift ist eine regelmäßig erscheinende Publikation mit wissenschaftlichen Artikeln.
教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
