jiǎngxuéjīn: 奖学金 - Scholarship, Fellowship

• Keywords: jiangxuejin, 奖学金, Chinese scholarship, how to say scholarship in Chinese, study in China, apply for scholarship in China, financial aid Chinese, academic award, HSK 4 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the meaning, cultural significance, and practical use of 奖学金 (jiǎngxuéjīn), the Chinese word for a merit-based scholarship. This guide breaks down the characters, provides over 10 example sentences, and explains how this term reflects the immense value placed on academic achievement in modern China, making it essential vocabulary for anyone interested in Chinese education.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiǎngxuéjīn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A financial award given to a student based on academic merit to help pay for their education.
• In a Nutshell: 奖学金 (jiǎngxuéjīn) is the direct equivalent of “scholarship” in English, but with a strong emphasis on academic excellence. In China's highly competitive education system, receiving a `奖学金` is not just financial help; it's a prestigious honor that brings pride to the student and their family, signaling top-tier academic performance.

• 奖 (jiǎng): This character means “award,” “prize,” or “to reward.” It signifies something given in recognition of an achievement.
• 学 (xué): A fundamental character meaning “to study” or “learning.” It depicts a child (`子`) under a roof, symbolizing a place of learning or the act of studying itself.
• 金 (jīn): This character means “gold” and, by extension, “money” or “metal.” It's a pictogram of nuggets of gold.

When combined, the characters create a perfectly logical and descriptive word: 奖 (award) + 学 (study) + 金 (money) = “study award money,” or a scholarship.

In Chinese culture, education has historically been the primary vehicle for social mobility and earning respect. This is magnified today by the intense competition surrounding the national college entrance exam, the 高考 (gāokǎo). A 奖学金 (jiǎngxuéjīn) is therefore much more than just financial aid. It is a formal validation of a student's hard work and intelligence. Receiving a prestigious scholarship, like a 国家奖学金 (guójiā jiǎngxuéjīn) or “National Scholarship,” is a major life achievement that brings immense honor, or 面子 (miànzi), to the entire family. While Western cultures also value scholarships, they are often awarded for a broader range of talents, including athletics, arts, or community service. In China, the overwhelming cultural emphasis for a `奖学金` is on pure academic merit and exam scores. It represents the pinnacle of the “good student” ideal, a cornerstone of societal values.

The term 奖学金 is used frequently in academic settings and family conversations.

• Applying: Students will talk about 申请奖学金 (shēnqǐng jiǎngxuéjīn), “applying for a scholarship.”
• Types: There are different tiers of scholarships, from university-specific ones to highly competitive government ones. The 中国政府奖学金 (Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ jiǎngxuéjīn), or “Chinese Government Scholarship,” is a well-known program for international students.
• Receiving: Announcing you 获得(了)奖学金 (huòdéle jiǎngxuéjīn), “received a scholarship,” is a moment of great pride and celebration. The verb `获得 (huòdé)` is slightly more formal and common in this context than `得到 (dédào)`.

The connotation is always positive and associated with prestige, intelligence, and hard work.

• Example 1:
  • 我要努力学习，争取拿到奖学金。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yào nǔlì xuéxí, zhēngqǔ nádào jiǎngxuéjīn.
  • English: I need to study hard to try and get the scholarship.
  • Analysis: `争取 (zhēngqǔ)` means “to strive for” or “fight for,” which perfectly captures the competitive nature of earning a `奖学金`.
• Example 2:
  • 恭喜你获得了全额奖学金！
  • Pinyin: Gōngxǐ nǐ huòdéle quán'é jiǎngxuéjīn!
  • English: Congratulations on getting a full scholarship!
  • Analysis: `全额 (quán'é)` means “full amount.” This is a common and exciting phrase to hear.
• Example 3:
  • 这笔奖学金足够支付我一年的学费。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bǐ jiǎngxuéjīn zúgòu zhīfù wǒ yī nián de xuéfèi.
  • English: This scholarship is enough to pay for my tuition for one year.
  • Analysis: `笔 (bǐ)` is a measure word for sums of money. `学费 (xuéfèi)` means “tuition fee.”
• Example 4:
  • 很多外国留学生都想申请中国政府奖学金。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō wàiguó liúxuéshēng dōu xiǎng shēnqǐng Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ jiǎngxuéjīn.
  • English: Many foreign exchange students want to apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's relevance for international students studying in China.
• Example 5:
  • 她的成绩非常优秀，每年都能拿到奖学金。
  • Pinyin: Tā de chéngjì fēicháng yōuxiù, měi nián dōu néng nádào jiǎngxuéjīn.
  • English: Her grades are outstanding; she can get a scholarship every year.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly links 优秀 (yōuxiù), “excellent/outstanding,” with receiving a `奖学金`.
• Example 6:
  • 申请奖学金需要准备哪些材料？
  • Pinyin: Shēnqǐng jiǎngxuéjīn xūyào zhǔnbèi nǎxiē cáiliào?
  • English: What materials do I need to prepare to apply for the scholarship?
  • Analysis: A very practical question for any student. `材料 (cáiliào)` means “materials” or “documents.”
• Example 7:
  • 父母为我拿到奖学金感到非常骄傲。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ wèi wǒ nádào jiǎngxuéjīn gǎndào fēicháng jiāo'ào.
  • English: My parents are very proud that I received the scholarship.
  • Analysis: This highlights the family pride and cultural significance associated with the term.
• Example 8:
  • 如果没有奖学金，我的留学生活会很困难。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu jiǎngxuéjīn, wǒ de liúxué shēnghuó huì hěn kùnnán.
  • English: If I didn't have the scholarship, my life as a student abroad would be very difficult.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the practical financial importance of a `奖学金`.
• Example 9:
  • 学校网站上公布了奖学金的获得者名单。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxiào wǎngzhàn shàng gōngbùle jiǎngxuéjīn de huòdézhě míngdān.
  • English: The school website published the list of scholarship recipients.
  • Analysis: `获得者 (huòdézhě)` means “recipient” or “winner.” `名单 (míngdān)` is a “name list.” This is a formal, written example.
• Example 10:
  • 他不仅拿到了奖学金，还被评为“三好学生”。
  • Pinyin: Tā bùjǐn nádàole jiǎngxuéjīn, hái bèi píng wèi “sānhǎo xuéshēng”.
  • English: Not only did he get the scholarship, he was also named a “Triple-A Student.”
  • Analysis: “三好学生 (sānhǎo xuéshēng)” is a prestigious title for students who are good in academics, attitude, and health. This shows how a `奖学金` is one of several key academic honors.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 奖学金 (jiǎngxuéjīn) with 助学金 (zhùxuéjīn).

• 奖学金 (jiǎngxuéjīn): Merit-based. The character 奖 (jiǎng) means “award.” You win it for being excellent.
• 助学金 (zhùxuéjīn): Need-based. The character 助 (zhù) means “help” or “assist.” This is financial aid or a grant given to students who need financial assistance.

Incorrect Usage:

我家条件不好，所以我需要申请奖学金。 (Wǒjiā tiáojiàn bù hǎo, suǒyǐ wǒ xūyào shēnqǐng jiǎngxuéjīn.)
My family's financial condition isn't good, so I need to apply for a scholarship.

Why it's wrong: While not grammatically incorrect, it's contextually imprecise. The reason given is financial need, not academic merit. The correct and more precise term would be 助学金 (zhùxuéjīn). Using `奖学金` implies you believe you deserve it because you're a top student, not because you need the money.

• 助学金 (zhùxuéjīn) - Grant, bursary, or financial aid (the need-based counterpart to the merit-based `奖学金`).
• 申请 (shēnqǐng) - To apply for (e.g., a scholarship, a visa, a job).
• 学费 (xuéfèi) - Tuition fee.
• 优秀 (yōuxiù) - Excellent, outstanding; a quality required to earn a `奖学金`.
• 成绩 (chéngjì) - Grades, academic results, performance.
• 获得 (huòdé) - To obtain, receive, or acquire (often used for formal awards like a scholarship).
• 学霸 (xuébà) - A popular slang term for a top student or “study tyrant,” the type of person who consistently wins scholarships.
• 高考 (gāokǎo) - The National College Entrance Examination, the high-stakes exam that drives the academic competition in China.
• 留学生 (liúxuéshēng) - Foreign exchange student; a group that often applies for Chinese government scholarships.