课程
kèchéng
课程 (kèchéng) is the Chinese word for classes.
课程 refers to a complete course or a curriculum. While it can be translated as 'classes', it describes the structured program of study rather than an individual session.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 课程 is composed of 课, meaning lesson or class and 程, meaning process, journey or rule.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between 课程 and 课. While 课程 refers to the curriculum or the course as a whole, 课 is used to refer to an individual class session or a single lesson.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to count individual class sessions, use the measure word 节 before 课, such as in the phrase 一节课 (one class). To express the action of attending or having class in a general sense, use the verb-object construction 上课. To express that a class has ended or is over, use 下课.
How do you pronounce it?
kèchéng
Did you know?
- The measure word 节 used to count classes literally means 'knot' or 'joint'. This evokes the image of a school day being like a bamboo stalk divided into distinct segments.
- While 课 means 'class', its original meaning refers to a 'lesson' or 'chapter' of a text, stemming from the tradition of studying classical scriptures in structured sections.
- The verb for 'attending' class, 上课, literally translates to 'go up' or 'go onto' the class, reflecting a directional movement toward the activity.
Examples in context
- 课程下周开始。Classes begin next week.This sentence uses 课程 to indicate when classes begin.Tatoeba #2694357 by sadhen, translation #881014 by CK
- 她在夜校上自卫术课程。She took night classes in the art of self-defense.This sentence uses 课程 to describe a specific course taken at a night school.Tatoeba #335267 by fucongcong, translation #313549 by shekitten
- 我今天有三节课。I have three classes today.
- 我正在考虑报名参加这个课程。I am considering enrolling in this course.
- 昨天老师在课堂上讲了很多有趣的事情。Yesterday the teacher talked about many interesting things in class.
- 这门课程很有意思。Zhè mén kèchéng hěn yǒu yìsi.This class is very interesting.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their university schedule.
- 浩然 Haoran你这学期的课程多吗？Nǐ zhè xuéqī de kèchéng duō ma?Do you have many classes this semester?
- 雨婷 Yuting不算多，只有四门课程。Bú suàn duō, zhǐyǒu sì mén kèchéng.Not many, I only have four classes.
- 浩然 Haoran那挺轻松的。Nà tǐng qīngsōng de.That sounds quite easy.
- 雨婷 Yuting是的，我有时间去运动。Shì de, wǒ yǒu shíjiān qù yùndòng.Yes, I have time to exercise.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
