cours
/kuʁ/
The English phrase "school classes" is translated into French as cours.
The term cours is used to describe the specific periods of time during which students are taught a particular subject by a teacher.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish cours from classe. While cours refers to the specific lesson or the period of instruction, classe refers to either the group of students or the physical classroom.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, the term les branches may be used to refer to school subjects.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word cours is the same in both the singular and plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuʁ/
Did you know?
- The word cours can also refer to the 'exchange rate' of a currency or the 'price' of a stock on the market.
- The word cours shares the same Latin root, 'cursus', as the English word 'course', meaning both a path or a running through something.
- While cours refers to the lesson, the word classe is often used to describe the students' year level, such as being in the 'third grade'.
Examples in context
- J'ai cinq cours aujourd'huiI have five classes today.
- Je suis fort en mathématiquesI am strong in mathematics.
- J'ai des cours de français tous les jours.I have French classes every day.
- J'adore les matières scientifiques.I love scientific subjects.
- J'ai trois cours de mathématiques aujourd'hui.I have three math classes today.
- Les cours de français commencent à huit heures.French classes start at eight o'clock.
- Est-ce que tes cours sont difficiles ?Are your classes difficult?
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are talking about their university schedule in a cafe.
- LéaTu as combien de cours ce semestre ?How many classes do you have this semester?
- LucasJ'ai beaucoup de cours, c'est fatigant.I have many classes, it is tiring.
- LéaMoi aussi, j'ai des cours toute la journée.Me too, I have classes all day.
- LucasBon courage pour tes cours alors !Good luck with your classes then!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cours, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cours, CC BY-SA 4.0.
