下课

• Pinyin: xià kè
• Hanzi breakdown: 下 = down/end; 课 = 讠(speech) + 果 (fruit/result) — a lesson or class

Meaning

To finish class; class is over. Describes the end of a class session.

The opposite of 上课 (to have class / class begins). Used by both students and teachers to refer to the end of a lesson. Common in school and training contexts. Often used as a time reference: 'after class.'

Examples

1. 我们三点下课。 Our class ends at three.
2. 下课了，同学们出去玩吧。 Class is over — go out and play, everyone.
3. 下课以后你去哪儿？ Where are you going after class?

Usage Guide

Context: school, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你几点下课？(What time does your class end?)
• 下课以后我们去打球。(Let's go play ball after class.)

Don't Say

• 我下课了学校。(Wrong — 下课 is a complete verb-object phrase; don't add a place after it. Say 我在学校下课了)

Origin & History

A compound of 下 (down/off/end) and 课 (class/lesson). Literally means 'end the lesson,' the counterpart to 上课 (begin the lesson).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal