科
department, course, section
Readings
On'yomi
- カ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- しな
Meaning
科 centers on classification into organized groups: a department, a course of study, or a section within a larger structure.
Most common words using 科
24 of 847- 科学かがくN4
science
- 科かN1
department (of a university or hospital)
- 外科げかN3
surgery (branch of medicine)
- 教科書きょうかしょN3
textbook; coursebook; schoolbook
- 歯科しかN1
dentistry
- 学科がっかN3
subject (of study); course of study
- 科目かもくN3
(school) subject; curriculum; course
- 内科ないかN3
internal medicine
- 教科きょうかN2
subject; curriculum
- 理科りかN3
science (natural sciences and related fields, incl. mathematics, engineering, medicine, etc.)
- 文科ぶんかN1
humanities and social sciences; liberal arts
- 眼科がんかN1
ophthalmology
- 小児科しょうにかN2
pediatrics
- 産婦人科さんふじんかN1
maternity and gynaecology department (gynecology); department of obstetrics and gynaecology (gynecology)
- 工科こうか
engineering course
- 医科いか
medical science; medical department
- 産科さんか
obstetrics
- 科するかする
to inflict; to impose (a fine, etc.)
- 科学技術庁かがくぎじゅつちょう
Science and Technology Agency (1956-2001)
- 科学者かがくしゃN2
scientist
- 分科会ぶんかかい
subcommittee; subworking group; breakout session
- 歯科医師しかいし
dentist
- 社会科しゃかいか
social studies (school subject)
- 社会科学しゃかいかがくN2
social science
Study
Etymology
科 combines 禾 (grain) and 斗 (a measuring dipper), originally referring to measuring and sorting grain into categories. This idea of sorting extended to classification and departments.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture grain 禾 being measured with a dipper 斗 and sorted into different bins: each bin is a department or section.
Reading mnemonic
For カ, imagine a course catalog where every department is listed under the letter 'Ka': Ka -> カ, like a section labeled 'Ka'.