美术课
měi shù kè
In Chinese, the phrase for 'art class' is 美术课 (měi shù kè).
The term refers to a class where students learn to create art, such as painting or drawing. If you want to say you are 'taking' or 'attending' an art class, you should place the verb 上 before the phrase to get 上美术课.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 美术课 is composed of 美术 (měishù), meaning 'fine arts' and 课 (kè), meaning 'class' or 'lesson'.
Which one should you use?
美术课 (měishù kè) specifically refers to fine arts like painting or drawing. In contrast, 艺术课 (yìshù kè) is a much broader term for an 'art class' that could encompass music, drama or dance.
How do you pronounce it?
měi shù kè
Did you know?
- If a student skips 美术课, they might say they 逃课 (táo kè), which literally means 'escaping the class' as if fleeing from prison.
- A student who is exceptionally good at 美术课 might be described as having 天赋 (tiānfù), which literally translates to 'heavenly gift'.
- The term 美术 (měishù) contains the character 术, which means 'technique' or 'skill', implying that art is viewed as a practiced craft rather than just pure inspiration.
Examples in context
- 我每周都参加 美术课 来提高我的绘画技巧。I attend art class every week to improve my painting skills.
- 我和朋友们约定每周一起上 画画课 ，一起创作。I and my friends have scheduled to attend art class every week to create together.
- 我下午有一节美术课。Wǒ xiàwǔ yǒu yì jié měishùkè.I have an art class this afternoon.
- 他在美术课上画了一幅画。Tā zài měishùkè shàng huà le yì fú huà.He drew a picture in art class.
- 这门美术课很有趣。Zhè mén měishùkè hěn yǒuqù.This art class is very interesting.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their schedule in the hallway.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，你今天有美术课吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ jīntiān yǒu měishùkè ma?Zhiqiang, do you have art class today?
- 志强 Zhiqiang有的，我课后要去。Yǒu de, wǒ kè hòu yào qù.Yes, I'm going after class.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我也要去，我们一起走吧。Wǒ yě yào qù, wǒmen yìqǐ zǒu ba.I'm going too, let's go together.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好啊，走吧。Hǎo a, zǒu ba.Okay, let's go.
