科 kē — branch of study; administrative section; division; field; branch; stage directions
我最喜欢的科目是历史。Wǒ zuì xǐ huan de kē mù shì lì shǐ.My favorite subject is history.
Common words: 科学 (kē xué)、科学家 (kē xué jiā)、科技 (kē jì)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "branch"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "branch", including 科 (kē), 支 (zhī), 枝 (zhī). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "branch" covers 3 different Chinese characters — 科 (kē), 支 (zhī), 枝 (zhī) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 3 characters do not share a sound — their readings span kē, zhī — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 科 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 科 kēbranch of study; administrative section; division; field; branch; stage directionsUseful words: 科学, 科学家
- 支 zhī(a measure word); to support; to sustain; to erect; to raise; branchUseful words: 支持, 支付
- 枝 zhībranch; (a measure word)Useful words: 树枝, 枝子
Common words for these 3 "branch" characters
Anchor each of these 3 characters in a word you can picture — start with 科 (kē) — so "branch" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 3 ways to say "branch".
支 zhī — (a measure word); to support; to sustain; to erect; to raise; branch
请借给我一支铅笔。Qǐng jiè gěi wǒ yì zhī qiān bǐ.Please lend me a pencil.
Common words: 支持 (zhī chí)、支付 (zhī fù)、支配 (zhī pèi)
枝 zhī — branch; (a measure word)
小鸟站在树枝上唱歌。Xiǎo niǎo zhàn zài shù zhī shàng chàng gē.The little bird stands on a branch and sings.
Common words: 树枝 (shù zhī)、枝子 (zhī zi)、分枝 (fēn zhī)
All 3 characters
Open 科、支、枝 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.