科学(かがく)

科学(かがく) refers to science in general or the natural sciences specifically. It covers the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation.

HOMOPHONE:
化学(かがく) also reads as かがく but means 'chemistry.' To avoid confusion, 化学(かがく) is sometimes read as ばけがく in spoken Japanese.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

• 科学者(かがくしゃ): scientist
• 科学的(かがくてき): scientific
• 自然(しぜん)科学(かがく): natural science
• 社会(しゃかい)科学(かがく): social science
• 科学(かがく)技術(ぎじゅつ): science and technology