Abstract:

In Chinese, the word “xueke” has been used in ancient times, but it originally refers to the subjects of the imperial examination. The word “xueke” in modern meaning comes from Japan, and it was first seen in a manuscript by the enlightenment thinker Mamichi Tsuda. The word “xueke” became more popular after the manuscript was printed. Later, the philosopher Inoue Tetujiro also used the word. In the 1870s, the “xueke” of modern meaning was introduced to China. The earliest use of this word was Guo Songtao, the minister of the late Qing Dynasty. “xueke” has three meanings in Japanese, as well as in Chinese. The word is now a common word between China and Japan.

Key words: subject, discipline, etymology