网课
wǎngkè
In Chinese, "online class" is 网课 (wǎngkè).
The term refers to an educational course that is taught and attended over the internet. To express the action of attending or taking an online class, you can use the verb 上 (shàng) before the noun, forming the phrase 上网课. You can also create related nouns by appending other words, such as 网课老师 for an online instructor.
What does it mean word for word?
网课 is a contraction of 网络课程 (wǎngluò kèchéng), where 网 (wǎng) means 'network/web' and 课 (kè) means 'class/lesson'.
Which one should you use?
网课 is an informal abbreviation of the full term 网络课程. Additionally, 在线课程 is a formal way to refer to an online course.
How do you pronounce it?
wǎngkè
Did you know?
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, the phrase 上网课 became so common that it sparked the slang term 网课党, referring to a specific 'online class tribe' of students who share tips on how to fake their presence in virtual rooms.
- During the pandemic, the term 云课堂 (yún kètáng) or 'cloud classroom' became a popular, more poetic way to describe the digital learning space.
- In the Chinese tutoring industry, a sharp distinction is made between 录播课 (recorded classes) and 直播课 (live broadcast classes).
Examples in context
- 我的大学教授正在开设一门网络课程。My university professor is offering an online class.
- 这个大学提供各种在线课程。This university offers various online classes.
- 最近我一直在上网课，真的很累。I've been taking online classes recently, and it's really tiring.
- 我觉得线上课比传统课堂有趣多了。I think online classes are much more interesting than traditional classrooms.
- 我今天有一节网课。Wǒ jīntiān yǒu yī jié wǎngkè.I have an online class today.
- 他在上网课。Tā zài shàng wǎngkè.He is attending an online class.
- 网课比较方便。Wǎngkè bǐjiào fāngbiàn.Online classes are quite convenient.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking on the phone about their studies.
- 浩然 Haoran你现在在忙吗？Nǐ xiànzài zài máng ma?Are you busy right now?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我在上网课，晚点聊。Wǒ zài shàng wǎngkè, wǎndiǎn liáo.I'm in an online class, let's chat later.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，你先听课吧。Hǎo de, nǐ xiān tīngkè ba.Okay, go ahead and listen to your class.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢，回头见！Xièxiè, huítóu jiàn!Thanks, see you later!
