课堂

• Pinyin: kè táng
• Hanzi breakdown: 课 (kè) — lesson, class; 堂 (táng) — hall, room

Meaning

Classroom; class session. The setting or environment in which teaching and learning take place.

Can refer to the physical classroom space or the class session itself. Often used to describe the learning atmosphere or classroom behaviour. More formal than 教室 which refers only to the physical room.

Examples

1. 课堂上不能玩手机。 You can't play with your phone in class.
2. 老师的课堂很有意思。 The teacher's class is very interesting.
3. 请在课堂上认真听讲。 Please listen carefully in class.

Usage Guide

Context: school, education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 课堂纪律很重要。(Classroom discipline is very important.)
• 他在课堂上表现很好。(He performs well in class.)

Don't Say

• 不要把课堂和教室混用 (课堂 refers to the class session or learning environment, while 教室 refers only to the physical room)

Origin & History

Compound of 课 (lesson, class) and 堂 (hall, room). Literally 'lesson hall.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal