Meaning
课程 refers to a structured course of study or a curriculum. It can mean a single class or course (like 'Chinese 101') or the entire program of courses in a field. It's commonly used in educational contexts to discuss what subjects or classes students are taking.
Usage
课程 is neutral and formal enough for academic settings but also used casually when discussing school. It often appears with verbs like 上 (to attend), 选 (to choose/select), 开设 (to offer), or 完成 (to complete). When referring to a single class session, 课 alone is more common; 课程 emphasizes the whole course structure.
Examples
- 01这学期我选了五门课程。.This semester I selected five courses.
- 02学校开设了很多有趣的课程。.The school offers many interesting courses.
Characters
Measure words
- 门一门课程
- 个三个课程
Common collocations
- 选课程to select courses
- 课程表course schedule, timetable
- 必修课程required course
- 选修课程elective course
Origin
课 originally meant 'to assess/test' and came to mean 'lesson.' 程 means 'journey' or 'process.' Together, 课程 literally suggests 'the journey of lessons' or 'the process of study.'