Usage note
系表示关系、系上或学系。
xì biǎo shì guān xì 、 xì shàng huò xué xì。
系 means to tie, connect, or a department/discipline.
Context note
系常用于学校、衣服和关系。
xì cháng yòng yú xué xiào 、 yī fu hé guān xì。
It is often used with schools, clothing, and relations.
5 examples
请把鞋带系好。
qǐng bǎ xié dài xì hǎo。
Please tie your shoelaces well.
她是中文系学生。
tā shì zhōng wén xì xué shēng。
She is a Chinese department student.
这件事和他有关系。
zhè jiàn shì hé tā yǒu guān xì。
This matter is related to him.
系上安全带。
xì shàng ān quán dài。
Fasten the seat belt.
我们是同一个学系的。
wǒ men shì tóng yí gè xué xì de。
We are from the same department.
5 mini stories
妈妈在医院的儿科系工作。她每天帮助生病的小朋友。我觉得她很了不起。
Māma zài yīyuàn de érkē xì gōngzuò. Tā měitiān bāngzhù shēngbìng de xiǎopéngyǒu. Wǒ juéde tā hěn liǎobùqǐ.
Mom works in the pediatrics department at the hospital. She helps sick children every day. I think she is amazing.
哥哥考上了大学的中文系。他高兴地跳了起来。我们全家都为他庆祝。
Gēge kǎoshàng le dàxué de Zhōngwén xì. Tā gāoxìng de tiào le qǐlái. Wǒmen quánjiā dōu wèi tā qìngzhù.
My brother got into the Chinese department at university. He jumped up with joy. Our whole family celebrated for him.
爸爸去商场的电器系买了一个新风扇。回家后，客厅变得很凉快。
Bàba qù shāngchǎng de diànqì xì mǎi le yī gè xīn fēngshàn. Huíjiā hòu, kètīng biàn de hěn liángkuài.
Dad went to the electronics department at the mall and bought a new fan. After coming home, the living room became very cool.
图书馆的儿童系有好多绘本。我借了一本关于恐龙的书。晚上妈妈读给我听。
Túshūguǎn de értóng xì yǒu hǎoduō huìběn. Wǒ jiè le yī běn guānyú kǒnglóng de shū. Wǎnshang māma dú gěi wǒ tīng.
The children's department at the library has lots of picture books. I borrowed a book about dinosaurs. Mom read it to me at night.
学校的美术系举办了一个画展。我和同学一起去看。我最喜欢一幅画小猫的作品。
Xuéxiào de měishù xì jǔbàn le yī gè huàzhǎn. Wǒ hé tóngxué yīqǐ qù kàn. Wǒ zuì xǐhuān yī fú huà xiǎo māo de zuòpǐn.
The art department at school held a painting exhibition. I went to see it with my classmate. I liked a painting of a kitten the most.
Mini dialogue
在哪个系
A
你在哪个系学习？
Nǐ zài nǎge xì xuéxí?
Which department do you study in?
B
我在中文系。
Wǒ zài Zhōngwén xì.
I'm in the Chinese department.
系办公室
A
请问系办公室在哪里？
Qǐngwèn xì bàngōngshì zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where is the department office?
B
在三楼，历史系旁边。
Zài sān lóu, lìshǐ xì pángbiān.
On the third floor, next to the history department.