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B1 adjective #4,000 most common 9 min read

必修

bixiu Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 必修 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 必修 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of **必修 (bìxiū)** as a word for 'must-study.' Since A1 learners focus on basic school life, you will mostly see this word in the phrase **必修课 (bìxiūkè)**, which means 'required class.' Imagine you are at school and you have a list of classes. Some you choose (like art or music), but some you *must* take (like math or Chinese). Those 'must-take' classes are 必修课. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just remember that if a teacher says a class is 必修, you have to go! For example, 'Math is 必修' (数学是必修课). It's a very useful word when talking about your daily schedule or school life.

At the A2 level, you start to understand that **必修** is an adjective used to describe things you are required to learn. You will encounter it in slightly more complex sentences, often paired with '的' (de). For instance, '这门课是必修的' (This course is required). You should also learn its opposite: **选修 (xuǎnxiū)**, which means 'elective.' In A2, you can use 必修 to explain why you are taking a difficult class: '我不喜欢数学，但是它是必修课' (I don't like math, but it's a required course). It helps you describe obligations in an educational context. Remember that 必修 is specifically for *studying*—you wouldn't use it for other chores like cleaning your room.

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using **必修** in academic and professional contexts. You'll start to see it used with other nouns like **必修学分 (bìxiū xuéfēn)**, meaning 'required credits.' This is important for university students who need to count their credits to graduate. You will also begin to see the word used metaphorically. For example, 'Failure is a 必修课 in life.' This means failure is something everyone must experience and learn from. At this level, you should distinguish 必修 from **必须 (bìxū)**. While 必须 is a general 'must,' 必修 is always about the process of learning or completing a curriculum. You'll also see it in formal documents or course catalogs.

At the B2 level, you should understand the institutional weight of the word **必修**. It often appears in discussions about educational reform, policy, or professional certification. For example, '教育部规定，编程将成为中小学的必修课' (The Ministry of Education stipulates that programming will become a required course for primary and secondary schools). You should be able to use it to discuss complex requirements in various fields, such as medical ethics for doctors or safety protocols for engineers. You will also notice it in sophisticated media titles, where it's used to grab attention by suggesting that a certain skill is a 'must-learn' for success in the modern world. Your usage should be precise, avoiding confusion with terms like '强制' (mandatory) or '必备' (essential).

By C1, you can appreciate the nuance of **必修** in literary and philosophical discussions. It is frequently used to describe the 'inevitable' aspects of the human condition. A writer might describe 'loneliness' or 'grief' as a '必修课' that every soul must pass through. In this context, the word loses its academic stiffness and takes on a poignant, universal quality. You should also be able to analyze the structure of the word (必 + 修) and relate it to the traditional Chinese concept of **修身 (xiūshēn)**—the cultivation of the self. At this level, you can use 必修 to argue about what should constitute the 'core' of a culture or a society's values, using it as a powerful rhetorical tool to define what is essential for a civilized person.

At the C2 level, your mastery of **必修** allows you to navigate the most formal academic and administrative discourse. You understand the historical evolution of curricula in China and how the definition of '必修' has changed over decades of educational policy. You can use the term to discuss the sociopolitical implications of mandatory ideological education or the global trends in 'core curricula.' Furthermore, you can use 必修 in highly creative or ironic ways in professional writing, perhaps critiquing a corporate culture by calling a certain useless meeting a '必修课 in patience.' You have a deep enough understanding to recognize when the word is being used to exert authority versus when it is being used to describe a genuine necessity for personal or professional growth.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

必修 in 30 Seconds

必修 (bìxiū) means 'required' or 'compulsory' in an educational context.
It is most commonly used in the phrase '必修课' (required course).
Its direct opposite is '选修' (xuǎnxiū), meaning 'elective' or 'optional.'
Metaphorically, it describes essential life lessons or professional requirements.

The term 必修 (bìxiū) is a fundamental concept in the Chinese educational and professional landscape. At its core, it is an adjective that describes something mandatory, required, or compulsory, specifically within the context of a curriculum or a course of study. The word is composed of two characters: 必 (bì), meaning 'must' or 'certainly,' and 修 (xiū), which in this context means 'to study,' 'to cultivate,' or 'to take a course.' Together, they signify a subject or a set of requirements that a student or participant has no choice but to complete to achieve a certain qualification, degree, or status.

Academic Context: In schools and universities, 必修 is almost always followed by 课 (kè - class) to form 必修课 (bìxiūkè), meaning 'required course.' These are the subjects deemed essential by the institution, such as Mathematics, Chinese, or specialized core subjects for a major.
Professional Development: Beyond the classroom, 必修 is used in corporate training to denote modules that every employee must finish, such as safety training or ethics compliance. It implies a non-negotiable standard set by an authority.
Philosophical Extension: Metaphorically, Chinese speakers often refer to life experiences as '必修课.' For example, learning how to handle failure is described as a 'required course in life' (人生的必修课), suggesting that certain hardships are inevitable and necessary for personal growth.

如果你想拿到学位，这门课是必修的。(If you want to get the degree, this course is required.)

数学是每个高中生的必修科目。(Mathematics is a required subject for every high school student.)

Understanding 必修 is crucial for anyone navigating Chinese-speaking academic or professional environments. It signals priority and obligation. While an elective (选修) offers freedom and personal interest, a 必修 subject represents the collective standard of excellence and the foundational knowledge required by the system. In modern discourse, it has expanded to describe any essential skill or experience that one cannot avoid if they wish to succeed in a specific field.

诚实是做人的必修课。(Honesty is a required course for being a person.)

Synonym Contrast: While '必须' (bìxū) is an adverb meaning 'must,' '必修' is specifically related to the act of '修' (studying/cultivating). You 'must' (必须) take the 'required' (必修) course.

大一的学生有很多必修学分要拿。(Freshmen have many required credits to earn.)

这门技术是程序员的必修内容。(This technology is required content for programmers.)

Using 必修 correctly involves understanding its role as a modifier. It almost always describes a noun related to learning, credits, or requirements. In Chinese grammar, it functions primarily as an attributive adjective, meaning it comes before the noun it modifies, often linked by '的' (de), though '的' is frequently omitted in common compound terms like 必修课.

Structure 1: 必修 + Noun: The most direct usage. Examples include 必修课 (required course), 必修学分 (required credits), and 必修科目 (required subjects). This structure is formal and standard.
Structure 2: ...是必修的: Here, 必修 acts as a predicate adjective. For example: '这门课是必修的' (This course is required). The '的' at the end is necessary here to nominalize the adjective phrase.
Structure 3: 必修 + Abstract Concept: Used for metaphorical or philosophical points. '学会倾听是职场的必修课' (Learning to listen is a required course in the workplace).

大二的必修课程比大一多。(The required courses in the second year are more than in the first year.)

It is important to note that 必修 is specific to 'study' (修). If you want to say something is mandatory but not related to a curriculum (like a law or a rule), you might use 强制 (qiángzhì - mandatory) or 必须 (bìxū - must). 必修 is strictly for things you 'study' or 'cultivate.' For instance, wearing a helmet is 强制的 (mandatory), but learning traffic rules is a 必修课 (required course).

他没有完成必修学分，所以不能毕业。(He didn't finish the required credits, so he cannot graduate.)

这几本书是我们的必修书目。(These few books are our required reading list.)

In a sentence, 必修 provides a sense of gravity. When a Chinese teacher says a topic is '必修内容,' students know it will definitely appear on the exam. In a business setting, saying a skill is '必修' implies it is a baseline requirement for the role. This word carries the weight of institutional authority and the necessity of foundational knowledge.

由于他是历史专业，中国史是他的必修课。(Since he is a history major, Chinese history is his required course.)

Collocation Note: Pair it with verbs like 修读 (xiūdú - to take a course), 完成 (wánchéng - to complete), or 设置 (shèzhì - to set/establish). Example: 学校设置了五门必修课。

我们要修读所有的必修课程。(We need to take all the required courses.)

The environment where 必修 is most ubiquitous is undoubtedly the school campus. From primary schools to PhD programs, the concept of a 'required course' dictates the rhythm of academic life. In a Chinese university, students often gather at the start of the semester to discuss their schedules, frequently asking, '哪几门是必修？' (Which ones are required?). This word is the gatekeeper of graduation.

On Campus: You will see it on official transcripts, course registration websites, and syllabus headers. Teachers will use it to emphasize the importance of a lecture: '这是必修内容，大家要认真听' (This is required content, everyone listen carefully).
In the Corporate World: Human Resources departments use 必修 to label mandatory training. For instance, '入职培训是每位新员工的必修课' (Orientation is a required course for every new employee). It signifies that the training is not a suggestion but a condition of employment.
In Media and Literature: Self-help books and motivational articles frequently use 必修 as a metaphor. Titles like '职场必修的社交技巧' (Social skills required for the workplace) or '每个人的成长必修课' (The required growth course for everyone) are common. Here, it appeals to the reader's sense of necessity.

这门必修课的考试非常难。(The exam for this required course is very difficult.)

If you are watching a Chinese TV drama set in a high school or university (a popular genre known as 校园剧), you will hear the characters complaining about 必修课 assignments or stressing over 必修 exams. It is a shared cultural touchstone for anyone who has gone through the rigorous Chinese education system, evoking memories of long study hours and the pressure of meeting academic standards.

对于医生来说，医学伦理是必修的。(For doctors, medical ethics is required.)

你选好这学期的必修课了吗？(Have you chosen this semester's required courses?)

In summary, 必修 is a word of the system. It is heard in administrative offices, during graduation audits, and in any conversation where expectations and requirements are defined. It bridges the gap between the literal world of textbooks and the metaphorical world of life's essential lessons.

面对失败是每个创业者的必修课。(Facing failure is a required course for every entrepreneur.)

While 必修 is a straightforward word, learners often stumble over its specific domain and its relationship with similar-sounding words. The most frequent error is confusing it with other 'must-do' terms in Chinese, leading to sentences that sound unnatural to native ears.

Mistake 1: Confusing 必修 with 必须 (bìxū): This is the #1 mistake. 必须 is an adverb meaning 'must' (e.g., 'You must go'). 必修 is an adjective meaning 'required to be studied.' You cannot say '我必修去学校' (I required-study go to school); you must say '我必须去学校.'
Mistake 2: Using it for non-study requirements: Learners sometimes use 必修 for any mandatory action, like 'Wearing a seatbelt is a 必修.' This is incorrect. 必修 is tied to the character 修 (to study/cultivate). If there's no learning or cultivation involved, use 强制 (mandatory) or 规定 (required by regulation).
Mistake 3: Incorrect Word Order: Because English uses 'required' after the noun sometimes (e.g., 'credits required'), learners might say '学分必修'. In Chinese, it should be '必修学分' or '必修的学分'.

错误：这门课是必须的。 (Wrong: This course is 'must'.)
正确：这门课是必修的。(Correct: This course is required.)

Another subtle mistake is forgetting that 必修 implies a formal system. You wouldn't usually use it for a personal requirement you set for yourself (e.g., 'I required myself to run'). For personal discipline, words like 必须 or 务必 (wùbì) are better. 必修 carries the weight of an external curriculum or a universal 'life lesson' recognized by society.

错误：法律必修我们要交税。(Wrong: The law 'required-studies' us to pay tax.)
正确：法律规定我们要交税。(Correct: The law stipulates we must pay tax.)

Finally, remember that '必修' usually describes the *subject* or the *credits*, not the *person*. You don't say '我是必修的学生' to mean 'I am a student taking required courses.' You would say '我在上必修课' (I am attending a required course).

错误：这门课是必学。(Wrong: This course is 'must-learn' - though understandable, '必修' is the standard term.)
正确：这门课是必修课。

To truly master 必修, you must see how it fits into the family of words denoting necessity and obligation. While English often uses 'required' or 'mandatory' interchangeably, Chinese has specific nuances for different contexts.

必修 (bìxiū) vs. 选修 (xuǎnxiū): These are direct opposites. 选修 means 'elective' or 'optional study.' If a course isn't 必修, it's likely 选修. Example: '我选修了摄影课，但数学是必修课。'
必修 (bìxiū) vs. 必须 (bìxū): 必须 is an adverb meaning 'must.' It describes the *action* you need to take. 必修 is an adjective describing the *thing* you need to study. You 必须 complete your 必修 course.
必修 (bìxiū) vs. 强制 (qiángzhì): 强制 means 'mandatory' or 'forced,' often by law or physical power. It sounds much harsher than 必修. You wouldn't call a math class '强制课' unless it was literally forced upon you in a prison or military setting. 必修 is the standard academic term.
必修 (bìxiū) vs. 义务 (yìwù): 义务 means 'duty' or 'obligation' (e.g., 义务教育 - compulsory education). While related, 义务 refers to the social responsibility, while 必修 refers to the specific curriculum requirement.

大学里有必修课，也有选修课。(In university, there are required courses and elective courses.)

In professional settings, you might also encounter 必备 (bìbèi), which means 'essential' or 'must-have.' For example, '必备技能' (essential skills). While 必修 implies you need to *learn* it through a process, 必备 simply means you must *possess* it. A computer is a 必备 tool, but computer science might be a 必修 course.

这不仅是法律上的强制要求，更是我们的道德义务。(This is not only a mandatory legal requirement but also our moral duty.)

学习外语是这个专业的必修项。(Learning a foreign language is a required item for this major.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '修' (xiū) contains the 'person' radical (亻), suggesting that studying and cultivating is a fundamentally human activity.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /biː ʃuː/

US /bi ʃu/

The stress is equal on both syllables, but the first syllable (bì) has a strong falling tone.

Rhymes With

地势 (dìshì) 继续 (jìxù) 序数 (xùshù) 比例 (bìlì) 修补 (xiūbǔ) 休息 (xiūxi) 必须 (bìxū) 必胜 (bìshèng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'xiū' as 'zho' or 'shoo' without the 'i' sound.
Using the wrong tone for 'bì' (making it flat instead of falling).
Confusing the 'x' sound with 'sh' in English.
Merging the two syllables into one.
Forgetting the 'u' sound at the end of 'xiū'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'must' and 'study'.

Writing 4/5

Writing '修' requires attention to stroke order.

Speaking 3/5

The 'x' sound and the fourth tone on 'bì' need practice.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound in academic contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

必须学习课选要

Learn Next

选修学分毕业科目证书

Advanced

修身必不可少强制性核心课程培养方案

Grammar to Know

Attributive Adjectives

必修(的)课

Nominalization with '的'

这门课是必修的。

Contrasting with '选修'

这不是选修，是必修。

Using '必须' as an auxiliary verb

你必须完成必修课。

Compound Noun Formation

必修课, 必修学分

Examples by Level

英语是必修课。

English is a required course.

Simple Subject + 是 + Noun phrase.

这是必修的吗？

Is this required?

Using '的' to nominalize the adjective.

我有三门必修课。

I have three required courses.

Number + Measure Word + 必修课.

数学不是必修课。

Math is not a required course.

Negative '不是' before the noun phrase.

必修课很重要。

Required courses are very important.

Subject + 很 + Adjective.

老师说这是必修课。

The teacher said this is a required course.

Reported speech using '说'.

你的必修课是什么？

What are your required courses?

Interrogative '什么' at the end.

所有的学生都要上必修课。

All students must take required courses.

Using '都要' to show general requirement.

在大一，体育是必修课。

In the first year, PE is a required course.

Time phrase '在大一' at the start.

这门必修课很难，但我必须学。

This required course is hard, but I must learn it.

Contrasting '必修' (required) and '必须' (must).

如果你想毕业，就要完成必修学分。

If you want to graduate, you must complete the required credits.

If... then... (如果...就...) structure.

这些书是必修书目。

These books are on the required reading list.

Using '必修' to modify '书目'.

历史是我们的必修科目之一。

History is one of our required subjects.

...之一 (one of...).

我选了三门选修课和两门必修课。

I chose three electives and two required courses.

Comparing '选修' and '必修'.

这门课虽然是必修的，但是很有趣。

Although this course is required, it is very interesting.

Although... but... (虽然...但是...).

每个专业都有不同的必修课。

Every major has different required courses.

Using '每个' (every).

完成这门必修课需要多少学分？

How many credits are needed to complete this required course?

Asking about quantity '多少'.

学会沟通是职场人士的必修课。

Learning to communicate is a required course for professionals.

Metaphorical use of '必修课'.

学校正在调整必修课程的设置。

The school is adjusting the setup of required courses.

Using '正在' for continuous action.

他因为没过必修课而延迟毕业。

He delayed graduation because he didn't pass a required course.

Because... (因为...) showing cause and effect.

这门必修课的内容涵盖了基础物理。

The content of this required course covers basic physics.

Subject (必修课的内容) + Verb (涵盖).

除了必修课，你还选了什么课？

Besides required courses, what other classes did you choose?

Besides... (除了...还...).

在我们的系统中，这些模块是必修的。

In our system, these modules are required.

Locative '在...中'.

必修课的成绩对申请奖学金很重要。

Grades in required courses are important for scholarship applications.

A 对 B 很重要 (A is important to B).

法律专业学生必修的课程包括民法和刑法。

Required courses for law students include civil and criminal law.

Complex subject with '包括' (includes).

面对挫折是每个成功者的必修课。

Facing setbacks is a required course for every successful person.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

这些必修学分是拿到学位的前提条件。

These required credits are a prerequisite for obtaining a degree.

A 是 B 的前提条件 (A is a prerequisite for B).

有些必修课的内容已经过时了，需要更新。

The content of some required courses is outdated and needs to be updated.

Describing status '过时' (outdated).

虽然是必修课，但教授讲解得非常生动。

Even though it's a required course, the professor explains it very vividly.

Verb + 得 + Adjective (complement of degree).

必修课的设置应当符合现代社会的需求。

The setting of required courses should meet the needs of modern society.

Using '应当' (should) for recommendations.

在这个阶段，自我管理成了他的必修课。

At this stage, self-management became his required course.

Subject + 成了 + Noun phrase.

他正在研究如何优化必修课程的结构。

He is researching how to optimize the structure of required courses.

Verb '研究' followed by a 'how to' clause.

这种人生必修课，往往是在痛苦中完成的。

This kind of life-required course is often completed in pain.

Passive-like structure '是在...中完成的'.

跨文化交际已成为全球化背景下的必修课题。

Intercultural communication has become a required topic under the background of globalization.

Using '已成为' (has already become).

必修课的硬性规定有时会压抑学生的兴趣。

The rigid regulations of required courses sometimes suppress students' interests.

Abstract subject '硬性规定' (rigid regulation).

他在大学期间不仅修完了所有必修，还辅修了第二专业。

During university, he not only finished all required [courses] but also minored in a second major.

Not only... but also... (不仅...还...).

对于一个成熟的政客来说，妥协是必修的艺术。

For a mature politician, compromise is a required art.

Using '必修' to describe '艺术' (art/skill).

必修课程的改革引发了学术界的广泛讨论。

The reform of required courses triggered extensive discussion in academia.

Subject + 引发了 + Noun (triggered...).

在繁杂的必修课外，他依然坚持文学创作。

Besides the complex required courses, he still persisted in literary creation.

Using '依然' (still) to show persistence.

理解这些经典著作是人文专业的必修环节。

Understanding these classic works is a required segment for humanities majors.

Using '必修环节' (required segment/part).

审视自我，是每一个灵魂在通往觉醒之路上的必修课。

Examining oneself is a required course for every soul on the path to awakening.

Highly philosophical and poetic structure.

该校必修课程的同质化现象遭到了不少专家的诟病。

The homogenization of the school's required courses has been criticized by many experts.

Using '诟病' (criticize/denounce) and '同质化' (homogenization).

必修课体系的重构，折射出教育理念的深刻变革。

The reconstruction of the required course system reflects a profound transformation in educational philosophy.

Using '折射出' (reflects/mirrors).

对于寻求技术突破的企业而言，持续研发是其生存的必修课。

For companies seeking technological breakthroughs, continuous R&D is a required course for their survival.

For... (对于...而言) structure.

在后现代语境下，如何界定必修知识变得愈发困难。

In the postmodern context, defining required knowledge has become increasingly difficult.

Using '愈发' (increasingly/more and more).

必修课的设置应在统一性与灵活性之间寻求平衡。

The setting of required courses should seek a balance between uniformity and flexibility.

In... between (在...之间) structure.

他将这段苦难视为人生中最为沉重却也最为宝贵的必修课。

He viewed this suffering as the heaviest yet most precious required course in his life.

View A as B (将 A 视为 B).

教育的本质并非仅仅是完成必修的灌输，而是点燃思想的火花。

The essence of education is not merely completing required indoctrination, but igniting the sparks of thought.

Not... but... (并非...而是...).

Synonyms

强制规定必须法定义务

Antonyms

选修自愿

Common Collocations

必修课

必修学分

必修科目

必修内容

必修课程

人生必修课

职场必修课

必修书目

必修环节

必修模块

Common Phrases

必修课

— A course that must be taken. It is the standard term in schools.

这门必修课很难。

必修学分

— Credits that must be earned to graduate.

必修学分不够不能毕业。

选修与必修

— A common pairing referring to the mix of elective and required courses.

你要分清选修与必修。

人生必修课

— Essential life lessons everyone must learn.

挫折是人生的必修课。

职场必修课

— Essential professional skills or behaviors.

沟通是职场必修课。

必修项目

— Required items or components in a list or plan.

这是我们的必修项目。

必修内容

— Mandatory material to be learned or covered.

这是必修内容，别漏了。

公共必修课

— General required courses taken by all students regardless of major.

思政课是公共必修课。

专业必修课

— Required courses specifically for one's major.

这是我的专业必修课。

必修书目

— A list of required readings.

这是本学期的必修书目。

Often Confused With

必修 vs 必须 (bìxū)

Must (adverb). Used for actions. 必修 is for subjects.

必修 vs 必备 (bìbèi)

Essential (adjective). Used for tools or skills you must have.

必修 vs 强制 (qiángzhì)

Mandatory (adjective). Used for laws or forceful requirements.

Idioms & Expressions

"修身养性"

— To cultivate one's moral character. Related via the character '修'.

读书可以修身养性。

Literary/Formal

"必不可少"

— Absolutely necessary. Related via the character '必'.

空气是生命必不可少的。

Neutral

"必由之路"

— The only way; the road one must follow.

这是成功的必由之路。

Formal

"修成正果"

— To achieve one's goal after long effort. Related via '修'.

他们的爱情终于修成正果。

Informal/Metaphorical

"必经之路"

— The path one must pass through.

这是去学校的必经之路。

Neutral

"事必躬亲"

— To do everything personally. Related via '必'.

他当领导总是事必躬亲。

Formal

"言必信，行必果"

— To be true to one's word and resolute in one's deeds.

做人要言必信，行必果。

Literary

"天必佑之"

— Heaven will surely bless them. Related via '必'.

积善之家，天必佑之。

Archaic/Formal

"势必"

— Certainly will; bound to.

这样做势必会失败。

Formal

"必争之地"

— A place of strategic importance that must be fought for.

这个城市是兵家必争之地。

Formal/Historical

Easily Confused

必修 vs 必须

Phonetically similar and both mean 'must/required.'

必须 is an adverb (must do), 必修 is an adjective (required to study).

你必须(must)上这门必修(required)课。

必修 vs 必备

Both imply necessity.

必备 is for items/tools/skills you own; 必修 is for things you learn.

电脑是必备(essential)工具，而编程是必修(required)课。

必修 vs 修补

Shares the character '修'.

修补 means to repair physical objects; 必修 is for studying.

他正在修补(repairing)桌子。

必修 vs 休息

Shares the sound 'xiu'.

休息 means to rest; 必修 means mandatory study.

必修课之后我们需要休息(rest)。

必修 vs 必定

Shares the character '必'.

必定 means 'certainly will' (adverb); 必修 is for courses.

他必定(certainly)会修完必修课。

Sentence Patterns

A 是必修课。

数学是必修课。

这门课是必修的。

除了必修课，还有选修课。

A 是 B 的必修课。

诚实是做人的必修课。

把 A 视为人生的必修课。

他把挫折视为人生的必修课。

必修课程的设置反映了...

必修课程的设置反映了教育的价值观。

必须修完...学分。

必须修完30个必修学分。

我有很多必修课。

Word Family

Nouns

必修课 (Required course)

必修学分 (Required credits)

必修科目 (Required subject)

Verbs

修 (To study/cultivate)

修读 (To take a course)

修完 (To finish studying)

Adjectives

必修 (Required)

必修的 (Compulsory)

选修 (Elective)

辅修 (Minor)

主修 (Major)

课程 (Curriculum)

学分 (Credit)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in academic and professional development contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 必修 as a verb like 'I 必修 math.' → 我在上数学必修课。
必修 is an adjective, not a verb. You need to use it to modify a noun like '课'.
Confusing 必修 (bìxiū) with 必须 (bìxū). → 你必须(must)完成这门必修(required)课。
必须 is an adverb for actions; 必修 is an adjective for study requirements.
Saying '法律必修我们要...' for 'The law requires us to...' → 法律规定我们要...
必修 is only for curriculum or learning. Laws '规定' (stipulate) things.
Omitting '的' in the predicate: '这门课是必修。' → 这门课是必修的。
When an adjective follows '是', it usually needs '的' to complete the phrase.
Using 必修 for physical items: 'A car is a 必修.' → 车是必备的。
For essential items, use '必备' (bìbèi).

Tips

The 'Must-Study' Rule

Break it down: 必 (Must) + 修 (Study). If you remember this, you'll never use it incorrectly for things like 'must eat' or 'must go'.

Education Only

Keep 必修 limited to educational contexts (courses, credits, subjects) or very clear metaphors about 'learning' from life.

The Predicate Rule

When using it at the end of a sentence, always add '的'. '这门课是必修的' sounds perfect; '这门课是必修' sounds incomplete.

Pair with 选修

Learn 必修 and 选修 together. They are the 'yin and yang' of school schedules. Knowing one helps you remember the other.

Gravity of the Word

Understand that 必修 carries a lot of weight in China. It's not just 'required'; it's the foundation of one's academic standing.

Tone Check

The first tone of 'xiū' is flat and high. Don't let the falling tone of 'bì' pull 'xiū' down into a low tone.

Corporate Use

Use 必修 to describe mandatory training modules in a professional setting to sound like a native speaker.

Stroke Order

Practice writing '修'. It has 10 strokes and is a very common character in many other useful words like '休息' and '修理'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'xuefen' (credits) or 'ke' (class), the word 'bìxiū' is likely to follow or precede them.

Philosophical Use

Try using '人生必修课' in an essay about personal growth to impress your Chinese teacher.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Bì' as 'Be' and 'Xiū' as 'Sure'. You must 'Be Sure' to take this course because it's 'Bìxiū'!

Visual Association

Imagine a student looking at a checklist where 'Math' and 'English' have big red locks on them—they are locked in, you cannot remove them. These are 必修.

Word Web

School Credits Graduation Rules Teacher Textbook Must Study

Challenge

Try to list three things in your life that you consider a '必修课' (required course), even if they aren't in a school.

Word Origin

The term combines '必' (bì), a character dating back to oracle bone script representing a handle or a divider, meaning 'certainty' or 'must,' and '修' (xiū), which originally meant to decorate or repair, later evolving to mean 'to study' or 'to cultivate oneself.'

Original meaning: Mandatory cultivation or mandatory study.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound too demanding; '必修' is an institutional term, not a personal command.

In the West, 'core curriculum' or 'general education requirements' are the closest equivalents to the Chinese 必修 system.

The 'Gaokao' (National College Entrance Exam) consists entirely of 必修 subjects. University 'Public Required Courses' (公共必修课) often include English and Political Science. Self-help books like 'The Required Course for Success' (成功的必修课).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Life

必修学分
必修课考试
修完必修
必修科目

Job Training

入职必修
必修模块
必修培训
员工必修

Self-Improvement

人生的必修课
必备技能
必修内容
必修的心态

Policy/Law

必修规定
教育必修
必修范围
法律必修

Course Catalog

必修/选修
课程必修
学分必修
全校必修

Conversation Starters

"你的专业有哪些必修课？"

"你觉得哪门必修课最难？"

"大学里应该增加哪些必修课？"

"你觉得理财是人生的必修课吗？"

"你最近修完了哪门必修课？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你最喜欢的一门必修课，为什么你喜欢它？

你认为除了学校里的知识，什么是每个人都应该学习的‘人生必修课’？

描述一次你为了完成必修学分而努力学习的经历。

如果由你来决定，你会把什么设为所有大学生的必修课？

讨论一下必修课和选修课，你更喜欢哪一种，为什么？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it's usually metaphorical. You can call a life experience like 'heartbreak' or 'learning to cook' an '人生必修课' (life's required course). It implies that everyone must go through it to grow.

必修课 (Required course) is mandatory for graduation. 选修课 (Elective course) is optional, and you choose it based on your interests. Most students have a mix of both.

In the term '必修课', '的' is usually omitted. However, if you use it as a predicate like '这门课是必修的', you must include '的'.

No, it is an adjective. The verb is '修' (to study/take a course). You can say '修必修课' (to take a required course).

It is '专业必修课' (zhuānyè bìxiūkè).

It is '公共必修课' (gōnggòng bìxiūkè).

No. You must say '必须去'. 必修 is never used directly before a verb like 'go'.

Yes, although children might just call them '课'. Teachers and parents use '必修' to emphasize that subjects like Math or Chinese are not optional.

In China, you usually have to '补考' (retake the exam) or '重修' (retake the whole course) because you cannot graduate without those credits.

Yes! The character '修' means to repair, build, or cultivate. In '必修', it refers to cultivating your knowledge or 'repairing' your ignorance.

Test Yourself 187 questions

writing

Translate: 'Math is a required course.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

A simple A is B sentence.