繁科（fán kē）

Pronunciation: fán kē

Basic Meaning: A busy schedule or heavy workload

Detailed Explanation: 繁科 refers to a situation where one is faced with numerous tasks or responsibilities, resulting in a busy and overwhelming schedule. It implies that the workload is so heavy that it is difficult to handle or manage.

Usage Scenarios: This idiom is often used to describe a situation where someone has a lot of work to do and is overwhelmed by the amount of tasks at hand. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Story Origin: The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty. During this time, scholars had to pass a series of examinations in order to obtain official positions in the government. These examinations were extremely challenging and required extensive knowledge in various subjects. As a result, candidates often had to study and prepare for multiple subjects simultaneously, leading to a heavy workload and a busy schedule.

Structure of the Idiom: 繁科 is a compound word made up of two characters: 繁 (fán) meaning "numerous" or "busy" and 科 (kē) meaning "subject" or "branch of study". Together, they form the meaning of a busy schedule or heavy workload.

Example Sentences:

1. 最近工作很繁科，每天都忙得不可開交。

(Zuìjìn gōngzuò hěn fán kē, měitiān dōu máng de bùkě kāijiāo.)

Translation: Recently, my work has been very busy, and I'm busy every day.

2. 學生們每天都面臨著繁科的學習任務。

(Xuéshēngmen měitiān dōu miànlínzhe fán kē de xuéxí rènwu.)

Translation: Students face a heavy workload of studying every day.

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of 繁科, you can visualize yourself surrounded by numerous books or papers, symbolizing the heavy workload. This visual image can help you associate the idiom with its meaning.

Extended Learning: To further understand the concept of 繁科, you can research the historical context of the Ming Dynasty and the examination system during that time. This will provide a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by scholars and the significance of the idiom in Chinese culture.

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

1. Children (Ages 8-12): 媽媽每天都有很多工作要做，她總是很繁科。

(Māmā měitiān dōu yǒu hěnduō gōngzuò yào zuò, tā zǒngshì hěn fán kē.)

Translation: Mom has a lot of work to do every day, and she is always very busy.

2. Teenagers (Ages 13-18): 這個學期我選了很多課，現在每天晚上都要做很多作業，真是太繁科了。

(Zhège xuéqī wǒ xuǎnle hěnduō kè, xiànzài měitiān wǎnshàng dōu yào zuò hěnduō zuòyè, zhēnshi tài fán kēle.)

Translation: I chose a lot of courses this semester, and now I have to do a lot of homework every night. It's really overwhelming.

3. Adults (Ages 19+): 最近工作很忙，每天都有很多會議和任務要處理，真是繁科至極。

(Zuìjìn gōngzuò hěn máng, měitiān dōu yǒu hěnduō huìyì hé rènwù yào chǔlǐ, zhēnshi fán kē zhì jí.)

Translation: Work has been busy lately, with numerous meetings and tasks to handle every day. It's really overwhelming.