dà xué
university
我在大学学习中文。
Wǒ zài dàxué xuéxí zhōngwén.
I study Chinese at university.
他正在为考 大学 而努力学习。
tā zhèngzài wèi kǎo dàxué ér nǔlì xuéxí
He is studying hard to get into university.
大学毕业后，我找到了一份好工作。
Dàxué bìyè hòu, wǒ zhǎodào le yī fèn hǎo gōngzuò.
After graduating from university, I found a good job.
学府 (xuéfǔ)
institution of higher learning
高等学府 (gāoděng xuéfǔ)
higher education institution
高等学校 (gāoděng xuéxiào)
university or college
小学 (xiǎoxué)
primary school
中学 (zhōngxué)
middle school
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The Chinese word 大学 (dàxué) has a rich history and etymology. The earliest known usage of the term dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BCE), where it referred to the highest level of education in ancient China. The character 大 (dà) means "great" or "highest," while 学 (xué) means "learning" or "education." Together, 大学 (dàxué) can be interpreted as "great learning" or "higher education."Over time, the meaning of 大学 evolved to encompass not only the highest level of education but also the institutions where such education was imparted. During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), the term began to be used specifically for the Imperial University, which was the highest educational institution in the country. The Imperial University was responsible for training government officials and scholars, and it played a crucial role in the development of Chinese culture and civilization.In modern Chinese, 大学 (dàxué) is used to refer to universities and colleges, which are institutions of higher education that offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The term is also used in a broader sense to refer to higher education in general.In conclusion, the Chinese word 大学 (dàxué) has a long and rich history, and its meaning has evolved over time to encompass the highest level of education and the institutions where such education is imparted.
