课

• Pinyin: kè
• Hanzi breakdown: 课 = 讠(speech) + 果 (fruit, result) — a lesson that produces results through teaching

Meaning

Class; lesson; course. Refers to a unit of instruction or a scheduled teaching session.

Used both as a measure word for lessons (第一课 = Lesson 1) and as a general term for classes (上课 = attend class, 下课 = class is over). Common compounds include 课本 (textbook), 课文 (text in a lesson), and 课程 (curriculum).

Examples

1. 今天有三节课。 There are three classes today.
2. 第二课很有意思。 Lesson 2 is very interesting.
3. 你喜欢什么课？ What classes do you like?

Usage Guide

Context: school, education

Tone: academic

Do Say

• 你今天有几节课？(How many classes do you have today?)
• 我们学第五课。(We are studying Lesson 5.)

Don't Say

• 我上一个课。(Use the measure word 节 with 课 — say 我上一节课)

Origin & History

The character combines 讠(speech radical) with 果 (fruit, result), suggesting that a lesson produces results through speech and instruction.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal