Translation and Meaning of: 博士 - hakase

The Japanese word 博士[はかせ] carries deep meanings and interesting uses in everyday Japan. If you've ever wondered what it means, how it originated, or in what contexts it appears, this article will clarify everything. We will explore its translation and writing, cultural curiosities, and practical tips for memorization. Whether for studies or pure curiosity, understanding 博士[はかせ] is essential for anyone looking to dive into the Japanese language.

Meaning and translation of 博士[はかせ]

In Japanese, 博士[はかせ] can be translated as "doctor" or "scholar," referring to someone with a high level of academic knowledge. Unlike Portuguese, where "doctor" often restricts to physicians or PhDs, in Japan the term encompasses anyone with recognized expertise in a field. This includes everyone from scientists to masters in traditional arts.

It is worth noting that 博士 also appears in informal contexts, such as in animes and mangas, to describe extremely intelligent or eccentric characters. This flexibility of use makes the word even more fascinating for Japanese language learners.

Origin and writing of the kanji 博士

The composition of the kanji 博士 is rich in meaning. The first character, 博, combines the radicals "broad" (十) and "ancient currency" (専), suggesting vast knowledge. Meanwhile, 士 represents a "scholar" or "person of study." Together, they convey the idea of someone who master a field of knowledge.

Historically, the term originated in ancient China before being adopted by Japan. During the Heian period (794-1185), it was already used to refer to scholars of the imperial court. This long trajectory explains why the word still holds so much prestige in Japanese culture today.

Cultural usage and curiosities about 博士 (hakase)

In contemporary Japan, calling someone はかせ goes beyond an academic title. It is common to hear the term on TV programs when experts explain complex topics. It also frequently appears on museum plaques and scientific articles, always associated with authority on the subject.

A verified curiosity is the affectionate use of the word for gifted or curious children. Parents can playfully call their child "little 博士" when they ask many questions. This flexibility shows how Japanese balances formality and warmth in its vocabulary.

Tips for memorizing 博士[はかせ]

To consolidate the pronunciation はかせ, associate it with "there's a case" - imagine a doctor saying "there's a case for us to study more." As for the kanjis, they can be remembered by the mental image of a wise person (士) with broad knowledge (博). This visualization technique is supported by studies on language learning.

Another effective strategy is to create flashcards with real examples: "大学の博士" (university doctor) or "科学博士" (doctor of science). Contextualizing always makes memorization easier, especially for academic terms like this.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 博士号 (Hakase-gō) - Doctorate Diploma
• 博士課程 (Hakase-katei) - Doctoral Program
• 博士学位 (Hakase-gakui) - Doctorate Degree
• 博士号取得者 (Hakase-gō shutoku-sha) - Holder of a Doctorate Diploma
• 博士取得者 (Hakase shutoku-sha) - Holder of the Doctorate Degree
• 博士候補生 (Hakase kōhosei) - PhD Candidate
• 博士研究員 (Hakase kenkyūin) - PhD researcher
• 博士論文 (Hakase ronbun) - Doctoral Dissertation
• 博士学生 (Hakase gakusei) - Doctoral Student
• 博士課程修了者 (Hakase-katei shūryō-sha) - Graduated from the Doctoral Program

博士

Romaji: hakase
Kana: はかせ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Doctorate degree; PhD

Meaning in English: doctorate;PhD

Definition: The highest degree in academic areas (especially philosophy, law, medicine), etc.

Example Sentences - (博士) hakase

See below some example sentences:

博士は学位です。

Hakase wa gakui desu

Doctorate is an academic degree.

Dr. It is a diploma.

• 博士 - academic title of doctorate
• は - Topic particle
• 学位 - academic degree
• です - verb to be in the polite form