課 (kè) - Lesson & class

課Tone 4

kè ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

課 · kè

Lesson;

class;

subject of study;

to levy taxes;

a measure for counting lessons or tasks.

Lessonclasssubject of study

Usage highlights

Class scheduleTextbookHomeworkClassroomTeacherTaxation

Synonyms

  • 课— lesson, class
  • 课程— course, curriculum
  • 功课— schoolwork, homework

Antonyms

  • 休— rest, break (antonym to studying)
  • 玩— play, have fun (opposite of formal study)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I have an English class today (英语课).
  • Please complete the homework (做功课).
  • This textbook has twenty lessons (这本课本有二十课).
  • The government collects taxes (政府课税).

Collocations

  • Class schedule(课程表)
  • Textbook(课本)
  • Homework(功课)
  • Classroom(课堂)
  • Teacher(课长 - in Japanese context)
  • Taxation(课税)

Idioms

  • To attend class(上课)
  • To dismiss class(下课)
  • To skip class(逃课)
  • To make up a missed lesson(补课)
  • To prepare lessons(备课)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'to test, examine' and 'to levy taxes' in classical Chinese.
  • In modern usage, primarily refers to educational lessons and academic subjects.
  • Used in both formal education and self-study contexts across Chinese-speaking regions.

FAQ