How to Say 'Study' in Chinese: 学 & 学习 (Speak + Write)

The most common way to say "study" or "learn" in Chinese is:

• 学 (pinyin: xué, second tone) — to learn / to study
• 学习 (pinyin: xuéxí) — to study / to learn (compound verb, more common in everyday speech)

Both are used constantly in Chinese. Here's when to use each one, how to write the characters, and how to talk about studying in the past.

学 (xué) — The Character

学 is one of the most fundamental characters in Chinese. It means "to learn" or "to study" and appears in hundreds of compound words.

• Pronunciation: xué — second tone (rising), like a question tone in English
• HSK level: HSK 1 (beginners)
• Stroke count: 8 strokes

学 can be used on its own or as part of compound words:

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
学	xué	to learn / to study
学习	xuéxí	to study (general)
学生	xuésheng	student
学校	xuéxiào	school
学中文	xué Zhōngwén	to study Chinese
大学	dàxué	university
留学	liúxué	to study abroad

学习 (xuéxí) — The Compound Phrase

学习 is more commonly used in spoken and written Chinese than 学 alone. It combines:

• 学 (xué) — to learn
• 习 (xí) — to practise / to review

Together, 学习 captures the full idea of studying: both absorbing new knowledge and practising what you've learned.

Example Sentences

• 我在学习中文。(Wǒ zài xuéxí Zhōngwén.) — I am studying Chinese.
• 你学习什么？(Nǐ xuéxí shénme?) — What are you studying?
• 我想学中文。(Wǒ xiǎng xué Zhōngwén.) — I want to learn Chinese.
• 他学习很努力。(Tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì.) — He studies very hard.

How to Write "Study" in Chinese (学习)

Both characters are written top-to-bottom and left-to-right, following standard Chinese stroke order.

• 学 (xué, 8 strokes) — simplified from the traditional 學. The character is built from three short strokes and a horizontal cover (冖) sitting over 子 (zǐ, "child"). A useful mnemonic: a child under a roof, learning.
• 习 (xí, 3 strokes) — simplified from the traditional 習, which depicted feathers (羽) over 白 — a young bird repeatedly practising flight. That image of repeated practice is exactly what 习 still means: to practise or review.

When you write the full word, complete all 8 strokes of 学 first, then write 习. Beginners often learn 学 early because it is an HSK 1 character and appears inside 学生 (student), 学校 (school), and 大学 (university) — so mastering it unlocks several other common words at once.

"Studying" vs "Studied": Talking About Study in Different Tenses

Chinese verbs do not change form for tense — 学习 stays 学习 whether you studied yesterday, study today, or will study tomorrow. Instead, Chinese uses small particles and context to show when the action happens.

English	Chinese	Pinyin	How it works
I study Chinese	我学习中文	Wǒ xuéxí Zhōngwén	plain verb, present/habitual
I am studying Chinese	我在学习中文	Wǒ zài xuéxí Zhōngwén	在 marks an action in progress
I studied Chinese (and finished)	我学了中文	Wǒ xué le Zhōngwén	了 marks a completed action
I have studied Chinese (experience)	我学过中文	Wǒ xuéguo Zhōngwén	过 marks past experience
I will study Chinese	我要学中文	Wǒ yào xué Zhōngwén	要 / 会 signals future intent

So "studied" in Chinese is not a different word — it's 学 or 学习 plus 了 (completed) or 过 (experienced before). This trips up many beginners, and it's one of the first grammar points where having a teacher correct you in real time saves weeks of confusion.

学 vs 学习: Which One Should You Use?

Both mean "to study/learn," but there's a subtle difference:

• Use 学 when followed directly by an object: 学中文 (study Chinese), 学钢琴 (learn piano)
• Use 学习 as a standalone verb or before general study: 我在学习 (I'm studying)

In practice, both are correct in most contexts. Native speakers use them interchangeably in everyday conversation.

Other Words for "Study" in Chinese

Word	Pinyin	Nuance
念书	niànshū	to study / read books (colloquial)
读书	dúshū	to read / to study (formal, literary)
研究	yánjiū	to research / study in depth
复习	fùxí	to review / revise what you've learned
预习	yùxí	to preview / study ahead

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If you're serious about mastering words like 学习 and using them naturally in conversation, the fastest path is full immersion. At KCEL in Kunming, China, small-group and one-on-one lessons are structured around real-life communication from day one. Apply to study at KCEL — flexible start dates, beginner to advanced levels.

FAQ

How do you say "study" in Chinese?

The most common words are 学习 (xuéxí) and 学 (xué). Use 学 directly before an object — 学中文 (xué Zhōngwén, "study Chinese") — and 学习 as a standalone verb, as in 我在学习 (Wǒ zài xuéxí, "I'm studying").

How do you write "study" in Chinese?

"Study" is written 学习. 学 (xué) has 8 strokes — three short strokes and a cover (冖) over 子 ("child"). 习 (xí) has 3 strokes and comes from 習, an image of feathers, meaning "to practise." Write all of 学 first, then 习, top-to-bottom and left-to-right.

How do you say "studied" (past tense) in Chinese?

Chinese verbs don't conjugate. To say "studied," keep 学 or 学习 and add a particle: 我学了中文 (Wǒ xué le Zhōngwén) for a completed action, or 我学过中文 (Wǒ xuéguo Zhōngwén) for "I have studied Chinese before."

How do you say "study" in Mandarin?

Mandarin is the standard spoken form of Chinese, so the word is the same: 学习 (xuéxí) or 学 (xué). The pronunciation above — xué (second tone) and xí (second tone) — is standard Mandarin (Putonghua).

What's the difference between 学 and 学习?

学 is used directly before what you study (学中文, 学钢琴), while 学习 stands alone or refers to studying in general (我在学习). Both mean "to study/learn" and native speakers often use them interchangeably.