This question is about the translation of "做學問" in English.
If I am asked to translate "做學問", then I would say "doing research". But somehow I feel that such translation of mine is insufficient to characterize the spirit of "做學問".
Therefore, I have to solicit some opinions and ideas on this issue. Thanks.
Consider the following:
A Chinese-English Dictionary
engage in scholarship; do research
他是做学问的人, 不会做买卖。
Tā shì zuò xuéwèn de rén, bù huì zuò mǎimai.
He's a scholar and no businessman.
ABC
engage in scholarly work
他是个做学问的人。
Tā shì ge zuò xuéwen de rén.
He's capable of scholarly work.
Oxford (Pocket)
engage in scholarship, do research
I would suggest "engage in academic pursuit", as 學問 is what academia is all about.
