kè: 课 - Class, Lesson, Subject, Tax

• Keywords: 课, kè, lesson in Chinese, class in Chinese, subject in Chinese, school subject, go to class Chinese, have class Chinese, Chinese for school, Chinese vocabulary lesson, HSK 1 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn how to use 课 (kè), the essential Chinese word for 'class,' 'lesson,' or 'subject.' This guide covers everything a beginner needs, from how to say 'go to class' (上课 shàngkè) to discussing your favorite school subjects. Master this fundamental HSK 1 vocabulary term and understand its central role in Chinese education and daily life.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kè
• Part of Speech: Noun, Measure Word
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: A scheduled period of instruction or a course of study.
• In a Nutshell: 课 (kè) is the fundamental word for anything related to a structured learning session. Think of a 'class' at school, a 'lesson' with a tutor, or a 'course' you're taking. It's the building block for talking about your education, from kindergarten to university. If it involves a teacher, students, and a set time for learning, you'll probably use 课.

• 课 (kè): This character is a phono-semantic compound, which means one part gives the meaning and the other gives the sound.
  • 讠(yán): This is the “speech” radical. It indicates the character has something to do with speaking, language, or teaching.
  • 果 (guǒ): This character means “fruit” or “result.” Here, it primarily provides the phonetic sound (the pronunciation of *guǒ* is similar to *kè*).
• Combining the parts: You can create a simple story to remember it: The speech (讠) of a teacher leads to the fruit (果) of knowledge. A lesson is the process of a teacher speaking to produce the “fruit” of learning in the student.

In Chinese culture, education (教育 - jiàoyù) is paramount. It is traditionally seen as the primary path to success, stability, and bringing honor to one's family. The concept of 课 is at the very heart of this cultural value. While in the West, a “class” might evoke images of open discussion and interactive learning, the traditional Chinese 课 is often more structured and teacher-centric. The teacher is a respected authority figure who imparts knowledge, and students are expected to absorb it diligently. This dynamic is rooted in Confucian values that emphasize respect for teachers and elders. The immense pressure of the *Gaokao* (高考), China's national college entrance exam, shapes the entire educational experience. Every single 课, from primary school onwards, is seen as a step towards this life-defining test. This creates an environment where concepts like 补课 (bǔkè)—attending extra “cram school” classes on evenings and weekends—are extremely common. A student's schedule is often packed with different 课, reflecting the society's deep-seated belief that hard work and rigorous study are the keys to a good future.

课 is an incredibly common and versatile word you'll hear every day.

• As a Noun for “Class” or “Lesson”: This is its most frequent use. It refers to a single instructional period.
  • `今天下午我有一节中文课。` (Jīntiān xiàwǔ wǒ yǒu yī jié Zhōngwén kè.) - I have a Chinese class this afternoon. (Note: `节 jié` is a common measure word for class periods).
• As a Noun for “Subject”: It can also refer to a school subject in general.
  • `你最喜欢什么课？` (Nǐ zuì xǐhuān shénme kè?) - What's your favorite subject?
• As a Measure Word: In textbooks, 课 is used as a measure word for “lesson” or “chapter.”
  • `请看第一课。` (Qǐng kàn dì-yī kè.) - Please look at Lesson One.
• In Common Compounds: 课 forms the basis of many essential verbs related to school life.
  • 上课 (shàngkè): To go to class, to attend class, for class to begin.
  • 下课 (xiàkè): To finish class, for class to be dismissed.
  • 补课 (bǔkè): To have a make-up lesson or attend tutoring/cram school.
  • 逃课 (táokè): To skip/cut class.

• Example 1:
  • 我今天有两节课。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān yǒu liǎng jié kè.
  • English: I have two classes today.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence. `节 (jié)` is the measure word for class periods. Note the use of `两 (liǎng)` instead of `二 (èr)` for “two” when used with a measure word.
• Example 2:
  • 我们上午八点半上课。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen shàngwǔ bā diǎn bàn shàngkè.
  • English: We start class at 8:30 in the morning.
  • Analysis: This shows the essential compound `上课 (shàngkè)`, meaning “to start class” or “to attend class.”
• Example 3:
  • 老师，什么时候下课？
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, shénme shíhòu xiàkè?
  • English: Teacher, when does class end?
  • Analysis: The opposite of `上课` is `下课 (xiàkè)`. This is a very common question for students to ask.
• Example 4:
  • 我最喜欢的课是体育课。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de kè shì tǐyùkè.
  • English: My favorite subject is P.E. class.
  • Analysis: Here, 课 is used to mean “subject.” `体育 (tǐyù)` means physical education.
• Example 5:
  • 这节数学课太难了，我听不懂。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jié shùxué kè tài nán le, wǒ tīng bù dǒng.
  • English: This math class is too difficult, I can't understand it.
  • Analysis: `听不懂 (tīng bù dǒng)` literally means “listen but not understand,” a key phrase for learners.
• Example 6:
  • 你为什么昨天没来上课？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme zuótiān méi lái shàngkè?
  • English: Why didn't you come to class yesterday?
  • Analysis: Note the structure `没来上课 (méi lái shàngkè)`, which is the natural way to say “didn't come to class.”
• Example 7:
  • 他为了准备考试，每个周末都去补课。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile zhǔnbèi kǎoshì, měi gè zhōumò dōu qù bǔkè.
  • English: In order to prepare for the exam, he goes to cram school every weekend.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the cultural phenomenon of `补课 (bǔkè)`, or extra tutoring.
• Example 8:
  • 如果你再逃课，老师会给你父母打电话。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ zài táokè, lǎoshī huì gěi nǐ fùmǔ dǎ diànhuà.
  • English: If you skip class again, the teacher will call your parents.
  • Analysis: `逃课 (táokè)` literally “escape class,” is the specific term for cutting class and has a strong negative connotation.
• Example 9:
  • 请同学们打开书，复习第二课的生词。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng tóngxuémen dǎkāi shū, fùxí dì-èr kè de shēngcí.
  • English: Students, please open your books and review the new vocabulary from Lesson 2.
  • Analysis: This shows 课 used as a measure word for a chapter or lesson in a textbook.
• Example 10:
  • 下课以后，我们一起去吃饭吧。
  • Pinyin: Xiàkè yǐhòu, wǒmen yīqǐ qù chīfàn ba.
  • English: After class is over, let's go eat together.
  • Analysis: `下课以后 (xiàkè yǐhòu)` is a very common time phrase meaning “after class.”

• 课 (kè) vs. 课程 (kèchéng): A 课 is one specific lesson or class session. A `课程 (kèchéng)` is the entire course, program, or curriculum made up of many individual 课.
  • Incorrect: 我的大学课是工商管理。(Wǒ de dàxué kè shì gōngshāng guǎnlǐ.)
  • Correct: 我的大学课程是工商管理。(Wǒ de dàxué kèchéng shì gōngshāng guǎnlǐ.) - My university course/major is business administration.
• 课 (kè) vs. 班 (bān): This is a critical distinction. 课 refers to the instructional *content* or *period*. `班 (bān)` refers to the *group of students*.
  • `我在中文课。` (Wǒ zài Zhōngwén kè.) - This is grammatically awkward. You would say `我在上中文课 (I am in the middle of Chinese class)`.
  • `我在中文班。` (Wǒ zài Zhōngwén bān.) - I am in the Chinese class (meaning, I am a member of that group of students).
• “Going to class”: English speakers often incorrectly use `去 (qù)` meaning “to go.” The correct verb is `上 (shàng)`. You don't “go to” a class, you “ascend” or “get on” it.
  • Incorrect: 我要去课。(Wǒ yào qù kè.)
  • Correct: 我要去上课。(Wǒ yào qù shàngkè.) - I need to go to class.

• 上课 (shàngkè) - The verb for “to attend class” or “to start class.”
• 下课 (xiàkè) - The verb for “to finish class” or “class is dismissed.”
• 课程 (kèchéng) - The entire course or curriculum, composed of many individual 课.
• 班 (bān) - The group of students who take classes together; a “class” in the sense of a cohort or grade level.
• 老师 (lǎoshī) - The teacher who gives the 课.
• 学生 (xuésheng) - The student who takes the 课.
• 补课 (bǔkè) - To make up a missed lesson or attend extra tutoring/cram school, a huge part of modern Chinese education.
• 逃课 (táokè) - The negative action of skipping or cutting class (literally “to escape class”).
• 作业 (zuòyè) - The homework assigned during or for a 课.
• 教室 (jiàoshì) - The classroom where a 课 takes place.