专业
zhuānyè · HSK 3
professional
💼 专 (focus/specialize) + 业 (occupation/trade) = specialized trade
专 means concentrated or specialized; 业 means occupation or industry. Together they describe work requiring specialized training — a profession. The same 业 appears in 作业 (homework) and 行业 (industry).
业 — top 业 (originally a notched board)
Originally a pictograph of a notched wooden board hung in ancient classrooms or temples to support bells and chimes. The notches inspired meanings of 'work' and 'profession,' as such boards were tools of trade and study. Today it means business, occupation, or undertaking.