聴講する

• Reading: ちょうこうする
• Romaji: choukou suru
• Kanji breakdown: 聴 (chou) — listen, hear; 講 (kou) — lecture, course
• Pronunciation: /tɕoː.koː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To audit a course; to attend a lecture as a listener without receiving credit.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb combining 聴講 (auditing/attending lectures) with する. Used in university and academic contexts for attending classes without being formally enrolled or receiving credit. Related terms include 聴講生 (auditor/audit student) and 聴講料 (auditing fee).

Examples

1. 隣の学部の授業を聴講させてもらった。 I was allowed to sit in on a class from the neighboring department.
2. 退職後、大学で哲学の講義を聴講している。 After retiring, I've been auditing philosophy lectures at a university.
3. 聴講生として毎週このゼミに参加しています。 I attend this seminar every week as an auditing student.

Usage Guide

Context: academia, university, education, lifelong learning

Tone: academic

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 聴 (chou, to listen/hear) + 講 (kou, lecture/course). Literally 'to listen to a lecture,' describing passive attendance at an academic course without formal enrolment.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated