master's degree; master's student
HSK level
硕士 is written with 14 strokes (硕: 11, 士: 3). The animation replays automatically.
硕士 (shuòshì) is a noun meaning 'master's degree,' and by extension the person who holds or is pursuing one.
It sits in the middle of the Chinese academic ladder — 学士 (bachelor's) below it, 博士 (doctorate) above it. Unlike English, where 'master' and 'master's degree' are separate words, 硕士 covers both the qualification and the graduate: 他是硕士 means 'he has a master's degree,' while 读硕士 means 'to study for a master's.' The word is neutral in register and used the same way in speech and writing.
English speakers should note it never means 'master' in the sense of an expert, boss, or owner — that is 大师 or 主人. To name the field, add it after: 文学硕士 (Master of Arts), 工程硕士 (Master of Engineering).
Note: Standard in academic, professional, and everyday contexts alike. On résumés and official forms it appears as 硕士学历 or 硕士学位 to specify the qualification versus the degree.
Character by character
Memory hook: A 'large scholar' (硕 + 士) — bigger than a bachelor, one step below a doctor.
我姐姐是英语硕士。
Wǒ jiějie shì Yīngyǔ shuòshì.
My older sister has a master's in English.
neutral
他打算毕业以后去美国读硕士。
Tā dǎsuàn bìyè yǐhòu qù Měiguó dú shuòshì.
He plans to go to the US for a master's after graduating.
spoken
这个工作要求硕士学位。
Zhège gōngzuò yāoqiú shuòshì xuéwèi.
This job requires a master's degree.
written
她今年考上了硕士研究生。
Tā jīnnián kǎoshàng le shuòshì yánjiūshēng.
She got into a master's program this year.
neutral
Acquire it by listening
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