博士
bó shì HSK 4

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

我哥哥是历史博士。
Wǒ gēge shì lìshǐ bóshì.
My older brother is a history Ph.D.
她想读博士。
Tā xiǎng dú bóshì.
She wants to study for a Ph.D.
那位博士教我们数学。
Nà wèi bóshì jiāo wǒmen shùxué.
That doctor teaches us mathematics.
他是博士。
Tā shì bóshì.
He is a doctor.
我认识一位博士。
Wǒ rènshi yī wèi bóshì.
I know a doctor.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 博 (bó) meaning 'broad' or 'extensive' and 士 (shì) meaning 'scholar'—together, they represent a scholar with extensive knowledge. Remember it's for academic doctors, not medical ones.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is formal and used in both spoken and written contexts, especially in academic, educational, and professional settings. It is commonly used when discussing higher education, career qualifications, or titles (e.g., 张博士 for someone with the degree).

📖 Grammar Points

博士 can function as a noun (e.g., 他是博士) or as a title prefix (e.g., 王博士). It often appears in verb-object structures like 读博士 (to study for a doctorate) or 获得博士学位 (to obtain a doctoral degree).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, holding a 博士 degree is highly respected and associated with intellectual prestige. It is often emphasized in professional and social contexts as a marker of success. Unlike in some Western contexts, it is less commonly used as a general polite title for non-doctors.

🔄 Similar Words

博士 differs from 医生 (yīshēng, medical doctor) as it refers to an academic degree, not a medical practitioner. It is higher than 硕士 (shuòshì, master's degree) and 学士 (xuéshì, bachelor's degree) in the academic hierarchy.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 博士 in CILI →

Related Words