The Chinese word **小儿科** is formed through a straightforward compounding process: it combines **小儿** (xiǎo'ér), meaning "child" or "infant," with **科** (kē), meaning "branch of study" or "department." Literally, it translates to "pediatrics," the medical department specializing in children's health. Over time, through metaphorical extension, it has acquired a common colloquial meaning describing something as "elementary," "trivial," or "child's play," implying it is simple or unsophisticated, much like basic concepts fit for a child.