研究生
yánjiùshēng · HSK 4
graduate student
🎓 研究 = research + 生 student; a research-stage student = grad student
研 means to grind/research, 究 means to investigate thoroughly, together 研究 = research. 生 means student (as in 学生). So 研究生 literally decomposes as research-student, the standard term for a postgraduate.
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.