bǔkè: 补课 - To make up a missed lesson, Tutoring, Cram School

• Keywords: buke Chinese meaning, 补课 English, what is buke, Chinese cram school, tutoring in China, make up a lesson Chinese, Chinese education system, gaokao, bǔ kè, shadow education
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 补课 (bǔkè), a fundamental term in modern Chinese culture that goes far beyond “making up a missed lesson.” This entry explores how `bǔkè`, which translates to tutoring or attending cram school, is a massive industry and a cultural phenomenon driven by the intense academic pressure of systems like the 高考 (gāokǎo). Learn why Chinese students and parents see these extra classes as essential for success.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bǔ kè
• Part of Speech: Verb-object phrase (can function as a verb), Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To supplement one's education with extra lessons, either to make up for missed classes or, more commonly, to gain a competitive advantage.
• In a Nutshell: While `补课` literally means “to patch a lesson,” its most common meaning refers to the widespread practice of after-school tutoring or attending “cram schools.” It's not just for students who are falling behind. In China's hyper-competitive academic environment, `补课` is a standard tool used by even top students to get ahead of the curve. It represents the immense pressure to succeed and the sacrifices families make for their children's education.

• 补 (bǔ): This character means to mend, to patch, to supplement, or to make up for. Think of it like patching a hole in your clothes (补衣服 - bǔ yīfu) or making up for a mistake. It's about filling a gap or adding something that is missing.
• 课 (kè): This character means lesson, class, or subject. The left part (言) means “speech,” and the right part (果) means “fruit,” indicating that a lesson is the “fruit” of a teacher's “speech.”
• Together, 补课 (bǔkè) literally means “to supplement a lesson.” This perfectly captures both the idea of making up a specific class you missed and the broader cultural practice of supplementing your regular schooling with extra classes.

The term `补课` is a window into the soul of the modern Chinese education system. Its significance is deeply tied to the concept of the 高考 (gāokǎo), the notoriously difficult national college entrance exam that can determine a student's entire future. In the West, “tutoring” is often perceived as remedial—something for students who are struggling or have fallen behind. While `补课` can mean this, its more dominant cultural role is that of academic enhancement. It's part of a massive “shadow education” system where students, regardless of their current performance, take extra classes on evenings, weekends, and holidays to get a competitive edge. This practice is fueled by several cultural values:

• Meritocracy through Examination: Historically, imperial examinations were the main path to social mobility. This belief persists today, with the `gaokao` seen as the fairest, albeit most stressful, path to a good university and a better life.
• Parental Sacrifice: Chinese parents are famous for investing enormous amounts of time, energy, and money into their child's education. Paying for expensive `补课` is a tangible expression of this devotion.
• Collective Competition (内卷 - nèijuǎn): When everyone else is doing `补课`, not doing it feels like falling behind. This creates a cycle of intense competition where families feel compelled to participate, driving the demand for tutoring ever higher.

In recent years, the Chinese government has recognized the immense pressure and inequality this system creates, implementing the “Double Reduction” policy (双减政策 - shuāngjiǎn zhèngcè) to crack down on the for-profit tutoring industry. However, the cultural demand for `补课` remains, with much of it now operating in less formal or underground channels.

`补课` is a ubiquitous term in daily life, especially in families with school-aged children.

• As a Verb: People often say “去补课” (qù bǔkè - to go to tutoring) or describe a teacher “给我补课” (gěi wǒ bǔkè - gives me extra lessons).
• As a Noun: It can also refer to the session itself. “我今天下午有个补课” (Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ yǒu ge bǔkè - I have a tutoring session this afternoon).
• Context: It's a common topic of conversation, from parents comparing tutoring centers to students complaining about their lack of free time. The connotation can be neutral (a fact of life), negative (a source of stress), or even a point of pride for parents who can afford the best tutors for their children.

• Example 1:
  • 我生病错过了周一的数学课，老师说会单独给我补课。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ shēngbìng cuòguòle zhōuyī de shùxuékè, lǎoshī shuō huì dāndú gěi wǒ bǔkè.
  • English: I was sick and missed Monday's math class, so the teacher said she would give me a make-up lesson individually.
  • Analysis: This is the most literal meaning of `补课`: making up for a specific class that was missed.
• Example 2:
  • 很多学生周末都要去补课，几乎没有时间玩。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō xuéshēng zhōumò dōu yào qù bǔkè, jīhū méiyǒu shíjiān wán.
  • English: Many students have to go to tutoring (cram school) on the weekends and have almost no time to play.
  • Analysis: This highlights the widespread cultural practice of `补课` as regular, supplementary education, often leading to a stressful schedule.
• Example 3:
  • 为了提高英语成绩，我妈妈给我找了个家教，每周六补课。
  • Pinyin: Wèile tígāo Yīngyǔ chéngjì, wǒ māma gěi wǒ zhǎo le ge jiājiào, měi zhōuliù bǔkè.
  • English: In order to improve my English grades, my mom found me a private tutor for extra lessons every Saturday.
  • Analysis: This shows `补课` in the context of improving a specific subject with a private tutor (家教 - jiājiào).
• Example 4:
  • A: 你这个暑假有什么计划？ B: 别提了，整个假期都要补课。
  • Pinyin: A: Nǐ zhège shǔjià yǒu shénme jìhuà? B: Bié tí le, zhěnggè jiàqī dōu yào bǔkè.
  • English: A: What are your plans for this summer vacation? B: Don't even ask, I have to attend cram school for the entire break.
  • Analysis: A common complaint among students. `补课` often fills up holiday time that would otherwise be for rest and relaxation.
• Example 5:
  • 这个补课机构的收费太贵了！
  • Pinyin: Zhège bǔkè jīgòu de shōufèi tài guì le!
  • English: This tutoring center's fees are too expensive!
  • Analysis: Here, `补课` is used as a noun modifier, describing the type of institution (机构 - jīgòu). This reflects the commercialization of tutoring.
• Example 6:
  • 他不是因为成绩差才补课，而是为了在高考中更有竞争力。
  • Pinyin: Tā búshì yīnwèi chéngjì chà cái bǔkè, érshì wèile zài Gāokǎo zhōng gèng yǒu jìngzhēnglì.
  • English: He's not getting tutoring because his grades are bad, but to be more competitive in the Gaokao.
  • Analysis: This is a crucial sentence for understanding the cultural nuance. `补课` is often for enhancement, not just remediation.
• Example 7:
  • “双减政策”之后，找个好的补课老师越来越难了。
  • Pinyin: “Shuāngjiǎn zhèngcè” zhīhòu, zhǎo ge hǎo de bǔkè lǎoshī yuèláiyuè nán le.
  • English: After the “Double Reduction Policy,” finding a good tutor has become harder and harder.
  • Analysis: This sentence places `补课` in its very current, real-world context of government regulation.
• Example 8:
  • 你觉得有必要给幼儿园的孩子补课吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde yǒu bìyào gěi yòu'éryuán de háizi bǔkè ma?
  • English: Do you think it's necessary to get tutoring for a kindergarten-aged child?
  • Analysis: This illustrates how the pressure for `补课` has trickled down to even very young children, a topic of much debate in China.
• Example 9:
  • 我得赶紧走了，不然补课就要迟到了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ děi gǎnjǐn zǒu le, bùrán bǔkè jiù yào chídào le.
  • English: I have to hurry and go, otherwise I'll be late for my tutoring session.
  • Analysis: Here, `补课` functions as a noun, referring to the event/class itself.
• Example 10:
  • 他偷偷在外面给学生补课赚钱，这违反了学校的规定。
  • Pinyin: Tā tōutōu zài wàimiàn gěi xuéshēng bǔkè zhuànqián, zhè wéifǎn le xuéxiào de guīdìng.
  • English: He secretly makes money by tutoring students on the side, which violates school regulations.
  • Analysis: This shows another layer of complexity, where public school teachers are often forbidden from private tutoring for profit, but the financial incentive is strong.

• Mistake: Thinking it only means “make-up class.” The biggest misunderstanding for learners is limiting `补课` to its literal meaning. While it *can* mean making up a missed class (see Example 1), its most frequent and culturally significant meaning is “to get tutoring” or “to attend cram school” for academic enhancement.
• `补课 (bǔkè)` vs. `上课 (shàngkè)`: These are not interchangeable.
  • `上课 (shàngkè)` means “to attend a class” or “to go to class” as part of your normal, official school curriculum. `我周一到周五要上课。` (I have to attend classes from Monday to Friday.)
  • `补课 (bǔkè)` refers to the *extra* classes outside of this normal schedule. `我周六要去补课。` (I have to go to tutoring on Saturday.)
• Verb vs. Noun: Remember that `补课` can act like a verb (“I'm going to tutor”) or a noun (“My tutoring session”). Context makes the meaning clear. Incorrect: `我有一个上课。` (I have a go-to-class.) Correct: `我有一节课。` (I have a class period.) Correct: `我有一个补课。` (I have a tutoring session.)

• 补习班 (bǔxíbān) - Cram school, tutoring center. The physical place or organization where one goes to `补课`.
• 高考 (gāokǎo) - The National College Entrance Examination. The primary cultural and academic force driving the `补课` phenomenon.
• 家教 (jiājiào) - Private tutor; the act of private tutoring. The person who comes to your home to `补课`.
• 内卷 (nèijuǎn) - “Involution.” A popular sociological buzzword describing the intense, zero-sum internal competition where people feel forced to overwork for diminishing returns. The `补课` arms race is a perfect example of `内卷`.
• 双减政策 (shuāngjiǎn zhèngcè) - The “Double Reduction Policy.” The 2021 government policy aimed at reducing the burdens of both homework and after-school tutoring on students.
• 辅导 (fǔdǎo) - To tutor, to coach, to guide. A slightly more formal term than `补课`. It can be used for academics but also for other things, like psychological counseling (心理辅导).
• 上课 (shàngkè) - To attend a regular class. The opposite of `补课` in the sense that one is required curriculum and the other is supplementary.
• 教育 (jiàoyù) - Education. The broad category under which `补课` falls.
• 压力 (yālì) - Stress, pressure. A feeling closely associated with the need to `补课`.