How to say "science" in Japanese
"Science" in Japanese is 科学 (kagaku). In school, the subject is called 理科 (rika).
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Ways to say "science" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 科学かがく · kagaku | Science. |
| 理科りか · rika | Science (school subject). |
| 化学かがく · kagaku | Chemistry (sounds the same as science). |
How to use it
Careful: 化学 (chemistry) is also read kagaku. People sometimes say ばけがく for chemistry to avoid confusion.
A scientist is 科学者 (kagakusha).
Example sentences
- 科学に興味があります。Kagaku ni kyōmi ga arimasu.I'm interested in science.
- 理科の授業が好きでした。Rika no jugyō ga suki deshita.I liked science class.
- 科学博物館に行きました。Kagaku hakubutsukan ni ikimashita.I went to a science museum.
- 大学で化学を勉強しました。Daigaku de kagaku o benkyō shimashita.I studied chemistry in college.
- 科学技術が進歩しています。Kagaku gijutsu ga shinpo shite imasu.Science and technology are advancing.
- 娘は将来科学者になりたいそうです。Musume wa shōrai kagakusha ni naritai sō desu.My daughter says she wants to be a scientist.
Kanji in this word
Questions
Why do people say ばけがく?
科学 (science) and 化学 (chemistry) are both read kagaku. Some people read 化学 as ばけがく to tell them apart.
What is 理科?
理科 (rika) is the school subject science, covering physics, chemistry, biology and earth science.
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