毕业生
bìyèshēng · HSK 4
alumnus
🎓 毕业生 = finish + study + student (one who has completed studies)
毕 means finish/complete, 业 means studies/profession, 生 means student/person. Together: a student who has completed their studies — a graduate. The 生 at the end marks the person, like in 学生 (student) or 医生 (doctor).
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.
生 — sprout 屮 above earth 土
Originally a pictograph showing a young plant sprouting from the ground, with 屮 (a sprout) above 土 (earth). The core meaning is 'to be born, to grow, to live,' which extends to 'raw, unripe, unfamiliar.' The modern form has simplified the sprout shape but preserves the image of new growth emerging from soil.