中专 (zhōngzhuān): vocational secondary school

中专 students enter after junior high (around age 15) and study a trade for 3-4 years — nursing, accounting, mechanics, early-childhood education. Distinct from 高中 (academic high school); in the Chinese education hierarchy 中专 ranks below 大专 (junior college) and bachelor's degrees.

usage

Short for 中等专科学校 (secondary specialized school). Carries some social stigma in mainland China — job ads listing '中专以上' signal the minimum acceptable credential, often for manual or service roles.