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A2 noun #3,800 most common 9 min read

讲课

jiǎng kè Top 3,800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 讲课 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 讲课 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize '讲课' (jiǎngkè) as a combination of two words you likely already know: '讲' (to speak) and '课' (class). For beginners, it is enough to understand this as 'the teacher is speaking/teaching.' You will mostly see it in simple subject-verb sentences like '老师在讲课' (The teacher is teaching). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the fact that this word describes the teacher's main job in the classroom. Think of it as the 'teacher's version' of '上课' (shàngkè). While students '上课' (attend class), the teacher '讲课' (gives the class). This basic distinction will help you understand classroom settings in Chinese-speaking environments. You might also hear parents tell children '老师在讲课的时候要听话' (Listen when the teacher is lecturing). Keep it simple: Teacher + 讲课 = Education happening.

At the A2 level, you need to understand that '讲课' is a 'separable verb' (离合词). This means it can be split apart. For example, if you want to say 'teaching a lesson,' you can actually place words between '讲' and '课.' A common A2 structure is using '得' (de) to describe how well someone teaches: '老师讲课讲得很好' (The teacher teaches very well). Notice how '讲' is repeated? This is a key A2 grammar point. You should also start using the preposition '给' (gěi) with '讲课' to show who the audience is, such as '老师给我们讲课' (The teacher lectures to us). At this stage, you should be able to distinguish '讲课' from '上课' (attending class) and '教' (general teaching). '讲课' is specifically about the verbal delivery in a classroom or formal setting. You might use it to describe your daily schedule or talk about your favorite teachers.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '讲课' in more complex sentence structures, including those involving duration and resultative complements. For instance, '他讲了一个小时的课' (He lectured for an hour). You should also begin to recognize '讲课' as a noun in phrases like '讲课内容' (lecture content) or '讲课技巧' (teaching techniques). B1 learners should understand the nuance of '讲课' in professional development contexts, such as '听课' (attending a lecture to observe/evaluate) versus '讲课.' You might encounter this word in reading passages about education or work-life balance. You should also be able to use it to describe professional training sessions in a workplace, not just in a school. For example, '经理今天给我们讲课' (The manager is giving us a training/lecture today). Your ability to use the word with various adverbs like '生动' (vividly) or '枯燥' (boringly) should also increase.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '讲课' with a high degree of precision and recognize its role in formal academic discourse. You should understand the difference between '讲课' and '讲座' (a specialized seminar) or '报告' (a formal report/presentation). B2 learners should be able to discuss the effectiveness of different '讲课方式' (teaching methods) or '讲课风格' (teaching styles). You might find this word in news reports about famous professors or in discussions about educational reform. You should also be familiar with related idioms or formal expressions that might appear in a pedagogical context. At this level, you can use '讲课' in the passive voice or within '把' (bǎ) constructions if the context allows, though '讲课' is less common in '把' structures than other verbs. You should also be able to write an essay or give a presentation using this word to describe the transfer of knowledge in society.

At the C1 level, '讲课' is a word you handle with stylistic flair. You understand its connotations of authority and the traditional Chinese 'Shifu' (master) dynamic. You can use it to analyze the rhetoric of a lecture, discussing how a speaker's '讲课' style influences student engagement. You should recognize the word in classical-inflected modern prose or high-level academic journals. C1 learners should be able to use '讲课' metaphorically, perhaps to describe someone who is being overly pedantic in a social situation ('你别在这儿给我讲课' - Stop lecturing me here). You are also aware of the historical evolution of the term and how it relates to the concept of '传道受业解惑' (passing on the Way, imparting knowledge, and resolving doubts). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the subtle difference between '讲课' (the act) and '授课' (shòukè - the formal, often administrative term for teaching a course).

At the C2 level, '讲课' is part of your near-native vocabulary, used effortlessly in any register. You can engage in deep philosophical debates about the nature of '讲课' as a pedagogical tool versus more modern, student-centered approaches. You might use the word in a critique of the 'filling-the-duck' (填鸭式) style of '讲课' common in some traditional systems. You understand the nuances of how '讲课' is used in different Chinese-speaking regions (Mainland, Taiwan, Singapore) and any slight variations in frequency or connotation. You can write professional pedagogical critiques, use the term in high-level administrative meetings about curriculum delivery, and understand its use in historical contexts, such as describing how ancient scholars used to '讲课' to their disciples. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a concept through which you can explore the entire landscape of Chinese educational thought and practice.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

讲课 in 30 Seconds

讲课 is a common Chinese word meaning 'to lecture' or 'to teach a class,' used specifically for the act of a teacher explaining a lesson.
It is a separable verb (离合词), meaning you can split it to add details like duration (e.g., 讲了一个小时课).
Unlike '上课' (which can be used by both students and teachers), '讲课' is almost exclusively used for the person doing the teaching.
You cannot put a direct object after it; instead, use '给...讲课' to specify who is being taught (e.g., 给学生讲课).

The Chinese word 讲课 (jiǎngkè) is a fundamental term in the realm of education and public speaking. At its core, it is a verb-object compound (离合词 - líhécí) where 讲 (jiǎng) means 'to speak, explain, or discuss' and 课 (kè) means 'lesson, class, or course.' When combined, they literally translate to 'speaking a lesson,' which refers to the act of a teacher or lecturer delivering educational content to an audience. In English, we most commonly translate this as 'to teach a class,' 'to give a lecture,' or simply 'to lecture.'

Formal Educational Settings: In a university or school setting, this is the standard term for what a professor does at the front of the room. It implies a structured delivery of knowledge. For example, '教授正在讲课' (The professor is lecturing) indicates a formal transfer of information.
Professional Training: Beyond schools, it is used in corporate environments where an expert might deliver a seminar or training session. If a guest speaker is invited to talk about marketing, you would still use '讲课' to describe their presentation.
Grammatical Nuance: Because it is a separable verb, you cannot directly put an object after it. You cannot say '讲课学生' (teaching students). Instead, you must use the preposition '给' (gěi) to say '给学生讲课' (giving a lecture to students). This is a crucial distinction for learners transitioning from A1 to A2 levels.

王老师讲课讲得非常生动，学生们都很喜欢听。
— Translation: Teacher Wang lectures very vividly; the students all love listening.

Furthermore, the word can be used as a noun in certain contexts, such as '讲课内容' (lecture content) or '讲课费' (lecture fee/honorarium). However, its primary use remains the action of teaching. Unlike the broader term '教' (jiāo), which can refer to teaching a skill like swimming or driving, '讲课' is specifically tied to the classroom or academic presentation format. If you are explaining a math problem on a whiteboard, you are 讲课; if you are showing someone how to tie a knot, you are simply 教.

明天的会议由你来讲课吗？
— Translation: Are you the one giving the lecture at tomorrow's meeting?

Usage in Modern Media: With the rise of online education, '讲课' is now frequently used for webinars and recorded video courses. A YouTuber explaining a language concept is effectively 讲课. The term has adapted from the physical classroom to the digital space seamlessly.

Using 讲课 (jiǎngkè) correctly requires an understanding of Chinese verb patterns, particularly the 'separable verb' (离合词) structure. Since 'jiǎng' is the verb and 'kè' is the object, they can 'separate' to allow for modifiers like duration or frequency. This is one of the more complex aspects for English speakers, but mastering it makes your Chinese sound much more natural.

Pattern 1: The Basic Verb-Object: The simplest way is using it as a standalone action. '他在讲课' (He is lecturing). This is straightforward and mimics the English 'to teach.'
Pattern 2: Separating for Duration: If you want to say 'taught for two hours,' you place the duration between '讲' and '课'. Example: '他讲了两个小时的课' (He taught a two-hour lesson). Note the addition of '的' which is common but not always mandatory.
Pattern 3: Adding a Recipient: As mentioned, you cannot say '讲课学生'. You must use '给...讲课'. Example: '老师给新生讲课' (The teacher lectures to the freshmen). This '给' (to/for) structure is essential for specifying the audience.

张教授正在大礼堂给五百名学生讲课。
— Translation: Professor Zhang is currently lecturing to five hundred students in the auditorium.

Another common usage involves the word '讲' taking a specific subject as its internal object, replacing '课'. For example, '讲数学' (teach math) or '讲历史' (teach history). In these cases, '课' is often dropped or becomes the broader context. However, '讲课' remains the general term for the activity itself, regardless of the subject matter.

因为生病，他今天不能来学校讲课了。
— Translation: Because of illness, he cannot come to school to lecture today.

Common Adverbs: You will often see '讲课' paired with adverbs like '认真' (conscientiously), '生动' (vividly), or '辛苦' (laboriously). For example: '老师讲课非常认真' (The teacher lectures very conscientiously).

In a Chinese-speaking environment, 讲课 (jiǎngkè) is a word you will encounter daily if you are a student or work in education. It is ubiquitous on university campuses, in primary and secondary schools, and in training centers (培训班 - péixùnbān). If you walk into a school building, you might see signs like '教师讲课中，请保持安静' (Teacher lecturing, please keep quiet).

Campus Conversations: Students often discuss their professors' styles. You might hear: '你觉得这个教授讲课怎么样？' (What do you think of this professor's lecturing?). This is a standard way to ask about teaching quality.
Online Education Platforms: On platforms like Bilibili, Coursera (Chinese version), or Xuexi Qiangguo, you will see '讲课' used in titles for instructional videos. A series of tutorials on coding or cooking might be referred to as '系列讲课' (a series of lectures/lessons).
News and Media: When a famous scholar or political figure gives a talk at a university, the news will report it using '讲课' or the more formal '讲座' (jiǎngzuò - seminar). However, if they are actually teaching a curriculum, '讲课' is the preferred term.

我最喜欢听他讲课，因为他总是能把复杂的问题说得很简单。
— Translation: I like listening to his lectures most because he can always make complex problems simple.

You may also hear it in professional evaluations. In China, teachers often have '公开课' (open classes) where other teachers come to watch them '讲课' and provide feedback. This is a vital part of professional development in the Chinese education system. Therefore, '讲课' isn't just an action; it's a performance and a professional skill that is constantly being refined.

这次比赛的要求是每位老师讲课十五分钟。
— Translation: The requirement for this competition is for each teacher to lecture for fifteen minutes.

Social Context: Even in casual settings, if a parent is explaining something to a child very formally, the child might joke, '你又开始讲课了' (You've started lecturing again), similar to the English usage of 'don't lecture me.'

For English speakers, 讲课 (jiǎngkè) presents several 'traps' due to its grammatical structure as a separable verb and its specific semantic range compared to the English word 'teach.'

Mistake 1: Placing the Object Directly After: Incorrect: *老师讲课我们 (Teacher lectures us).
Correct: 老师给我们讲课 (Teacher gives a lecture to us).
Explanation: '讲课' already contains an object ('课'). You cannot add another direct object. You must use '给' to indicate who is receiving the lecture.
Mistake 2: Confusing '讲课' with '上课': Incorrect: *学生在讲课 (Student is lecturing - unless the student is actually the one teaching).
Correct: 学生在上课 (Student is attending class).
Explanation: '讲课' is the action of the teacher (giving the lesson). '上课' can be used for both teachers (going to teach) and students (attending class). If you are a student sitting in a chair listening, you are '上课,' not '讲课.'
Mistake 3: Incorrect Separation for Duration: Incorrect: *他讲课了两个小时。
Correct: 他讲了两个小时的课。
Explanation: In Chinese, duration markers must come between the verb and its object in a VO compound. Putting the duration at the end is a common English-interference error.

错误：他正在讲课数学。
正确：他正在讲数学课。或者：他正在讲数学。
— Translation: You cannot say 'lecturing math' as a single unit; you must either say 'lecturing a math lesson' or just 'lecturing math.'

Another subtle mistake is using '讲课' for informal coaching. If you are teaching a friend how to play guitar in a living room, '讲课' sounds too formal and stiff. In that case, use '教' (jiāo) or '教我一下' (teach me for a bit). '讲课' implies a podium, a prepared topic, and an audience.

Mistake 4: Redundant Verbs: Incorrect: *他去做讲课 (He goes to do lecturing).
Correct: 他去讲课 (He goes to lecture).
Explanation: Chinese verbs don't need 'do' (做) added to them like English nouns often do. '讲课' is already a verb phrase.

Chinese has several words related to teaching and lecturing. Understanding the difference between 讲课 (jiǎngkè) and its synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

1. 教 (jiāo) - To Teach: This is the most general term. It can be used for any kind of teaching, from a mother teaching a child to walk to a professor teaching physics. '讲课' is a sub-type of '教'—specifically the verbal delivery of a lesson.
2. 上课 (shàngkè) - To Go to Class / To Teach a Class: This is the most confused word. '上课' focuses on the *event* of the class. A student '上课' (attends), and a teacher '上课' (conducts). '讲课' focuses specifically on the *act of speaking/explaining* during that class. You can be '上课' but doing a quiz, in which case you are not '讲课.'
3. 讲座 (jiǎngzuò) - Seminar / Guest Lecture: A '讲座' is usually a one-time event or a special presentation, often for a larger public audience. '讲课' is usually part of a recurring curriculum or course. If a guest comes for one hour, it's a '讲座'; if the teacher comes every Monday, it's '讲课.'
4. 演说 (yǎnshuō) / 演讲 (yǎnjiǎng) - Speech / Oration: These refer to speeches given for political, motivational, or ceremonial reasons. They are more about persuasion and rhetoric than education. '讲课' is strictly for educational purposes.

比较：
1. 老师在讲课。(Focus on the act of explaining)
2. 老师在上课。(Focus on the fact that class is in session)

In summary, choose '讲课' when you want to highlight the teacher's verbal delivery of a lesson. Choose '上课' for the general activity of being in class. Choose '教' for the transfer of skills or knowledge in any context. Choose '讲座' for academic seminars.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, 讲课 wasn't just about reading books; it often involved a master sitting on a raised platform (讲台) and disciples sitting on mats on the floor. The structure of the classroom has changed, but the word has remained.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒjæŋ kʰɤ/

US /dʒjɑŋ kʰʌ/

In Chinese, both syllables are usually stressed equally, but the tones provide the rhythmic structure.

Rhymes With

想 (xiǎng) 响 (xiǎng) 两 (liǎng) 客 (kè) 刻 (kè) 乐 (lè) 热 (rè) 色 (sè)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jiǎng' as 'jang' with a flat tone.
Mixing up 'jiǎng' (3rd tone) with 'jiàng' (4th tone).
Pronouncing 'kè' as 'ke' (like 'key') instead of 'kuh'.
Failing to drop the tone sharply on 'kè'.
Slurring the 'i' in 'jiǎng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are relatively common and easy to recognize for A2 learners.

Writing 4/5

The character '讲' has many strokes, and the separable verb grammar is tricky to write correctly.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is simple, but getting the tones right in a full sentence takes practice.

Listening 2/5

Very common in educational contexts; easy to pick out in a conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

老师学生课讲上课

Learn Next

教授讲座授课笔记复习

Advanced

深入浅出教学大纲学术研讨会多媒体教学

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (离合词)

讲了一堂课 (Taught a lesson)

Verb Repetition with '得'

讲课讲得很清楚 (Lectures very clearly)

Preposition '给' for Recipients

给学生讲课 (Lecture to students)

Duration Complements

讲了一个小时课 (Lectured for an hour)

Measure Words for Lessons

这一堂讲课 (This one lesson)

Examples by Level

老师在讲课。

The teacher is lecturing.

Basic Subject + 在 + Verb structure.

他在讲课吗？

Is he lecturing?

Simple question with 吗.

老师讲课很好。

The teacher lectures well.

Simple Subject + Verb + Adverb (colloquial).

不要在老师讲课时说话。

Don't talk while the teacher is lecturing.

Using '时' to mean 'while/when'.

我喜欢听老师讲课。

I like listening to the teacher's lecture.

Verb '喜欢' followed by another verb phrase.

老师每天讲课。

The teacher lectures every day.

Time adverb '每天' comes before the verb.

王老师正在讲课。

Teacher Wang is lecturing right now.

正在 indicates an action in progress.

他在哪儿讲课？

Where is he lecturing?

Question word '哪儿' for location.

老师讲课讲得很生动。

The teacher lectures very vividly.

Separable verb with '得' complement (requires verb repetition).

他今天讲了两个小时的课。

He lectured for two hours today.

Separable verb split by duration.

老师给我们讲课。

The teacher lectures to us.

Using '给' to indicate the recipient.

请问，王教授什么时候讲课？

Excuse me, what time does Professor Wang lecture?

Formal question with '什么时候'.

他讲课以前会准备很久。

He prepares for a long time before lecturing.

Using '以前' to mean 'before'.

我不喜欢那个老师讲课的方式。

I don't like that teacher's way of lecturing.

Using '...的方式' to mean 'the way of...'.

我们要认真听老师讲课。

We need to listen to the teacher's lecture conscientiously.

Adverb '认真' before the verb.

由于生病，他不能来讲课了。

Due to illness, he can't come to lecture anymore.

Using '由于' (due to) and '了' (change of state).

这位专家经常去各大学讲课。

This expert often goes to various universities to lecture.

Multiple locations '各大学' with the verb.

讲课的内容非常有意思。

The content of the lecture is very interesting.

Using '讲课' as an attributive noun.

他讲课的时候，从来不看书。

When he lectures, he never looks at a book.

Using '从来不' for 'never'.

你需要提高你的讲课技巧。

You need to improve your lecturing skills.

Noun phrase '讲课技巧'.

虽然他很有名，但讲课很枯燥。

Although he is famous, his lecturing is very dry.

Conjunction '虽然...但...'.

他把讲课当成一种艺术。

He treats lecturing as a form of art.

Using '把...当成...' (treat ... as ...).

今天下午有一场关于环保的讲课。

There is a lecture about environmental protection this afternoon.

Measure word '场' for events like lectures.

听他讲课是一种享受。

Listening to him lecture is a kind of enjoyment.

Subject is a verb phrase '听他讲课'.

他的讲课风格深受学生欢迎。

His lecturing style is deeply welcomed by students.

Passive-like structure '深受...欢迎'.

为了讲好这堂课，他查阅了大量资料。

In order to lecture this lesson well, he consulted a large amount of data.

Resultative complement '讲好' with '为了' (in order to).

由于停电，讲课不得不中断。

Due to a power outage, the lecture had to be interrupted.

Using '不得不' (have no choice but to).

这位教授讲课非常有逻辑性。

This professor's lecturing is very logical.

Abstract noun '逻辑性' (logicality).

他被邀请到北京大学讲课。

He was invited to lecture at Peking University.

Passive voice '被' structure.

讲课不仅仅是传授知识，更是交流思想。

Lecturing is not just imparting knowledge, but even more about exchanging ideas.

Correlative '不仅仅是...更是...'.

无论听众是谁，他讲课都一样认真。

No matter who the audience is, he lectures with the same conscientiousness.

Using '无论...都...'.

他讲课时善于运用幽默感来吸引学生。

He is good at using a sense of humor to attract students when lecturing.

Using '善于' (be good at).

他的讲课深入浅出，深受好评。

His lecturing explains profound things in simple terms and is highly praised.

Idiom '深入浅出' used as a complement.

这次讲课旨在提高员工的专业素养。

This lecture aims to improve the professional quality of the employees.

Formal word '旨在' (aims to).

他在讲课中穿插了许多生动的案例。

He interspersed many vivid cases throughout his lecture.

Using '穿插' (to intersperse).

讲课的艺术在于激发学生的思考。

The art of lecturing lies in stimulating students' thinking.

Structure '...在于...' (lies in...).

他虽然退休了，但仍心系讲课。

Although he is retired, his heart is still with lecturing.

Formal expression '心系' (heart tied to).

这堂讲课的内容涵盖了多个学术领域。

The content of this lecture covers multiple academic fields.

Formal verb '涵盖' (to cover/encompass).

讲课不仅要讲得精，还要讲得透。

Lecturing must not only be concise but also thorough.

Parallel '要...还要...' with resultative complements.

他的讲课极具感染力，听者无不动容。

His lecturing is extremely infectious; no listener is unmoved.

Double negative '无不' (none not = everyone).

讲课之余，他致力于古代文献的研究。

In addition to lecturing, he devotes himself to the study of ancient documents.

Formal structure '...之余' (aside from...).

他那独特的讲课风格已成一家之言。

His unique lecturing style has already become a school of thought.

Idiom '一家之言' (a unique school of thought).

在这一领域，他的讲课具有权威性的地位。

In this field, his lecturing holds an authoritative position.

Noun '权威性' (authority).

讲课并非机械地灌输，而是灵魂的启迪。

Lecturing is not mechanical instillation, but the enlightenment of the soul.

Contrast '并非...而是...' (is not... but rather...).

他在讲课中流露出的博学令人折服。

The erudition he reveals during his lecturing is admirable.

Verb '流露出' (to reveal/leak out naturally).

他的讲课往往能引发跨学科的深度对话。

His lecturing often triggers in-depth interdisciplinary dialogues.

Adjective '跨学科' (interdisciplinary).

讲课的高境界是言简而意丰。

The high realm of lecturing is having concise words but rich meaning.

Literary style '言简而意丰'.

他将毕生精力都奉献给了讲课事业。

He dedicated his life's energy to the cause of lecturing.

Formal structure '将...奉献给...'.

Common Collocations

讲课生动

讲课认真

讲课内容

讲课方式

讲课费

讲课技巧

给学生讲课

准备讲课

讲课比赛

讲课风格

Common Phrases

开始讲课

— To begin the lecture. Used at the start of a class.

铃响了，老师开始讲课。

停止讲课

— To stop lecturing. Used when an interruption occurs.

由于噪音太大，他停止了讲课。

讲课笔记

— Lecture notes. Notes taken by students during a lecture.

借我看一下你的讲课笔记。

讲课大纲

— Lecture outline. A plan for what will be taught.

这是本学期的讲课大纲。

讲课录音

— Lecture recording. An audio file of the teaching.

你可以听一下讲课录音。

讲课视频

— Lecture video. A video file of the teaching.

网上有很多免费的讲课视频。

讲课进度

— Lecture pace/progress. How fast the curriculum is moving.

老师的讲课进度很快。

讲课重点

— Lecture key points. The most important parts of the lesson.

请大家记下今天的讲课重点。

讲课水平

— Lecturing level/quality. The teacher's ability to lecture.

他的讲课水平很高。

讲课效果

— Lecture effectiveness. How well students learned.

这次讲课效果不理想。

Often Confused With

讲课 vs 上课

上课 can be done by students or teachers; 讲课 is only for the teacher.

讲课 vs 听课

听课 is the act of listening; 讲课 is the act of speaking.

讲课 vs 讲座

讲座 is a one-time seminar; 讲课 is usually part of a regular course.

Idioms & Expressions

"深入浅出"

— To explain complex things in simple terms. Often used to praise 讲课.

王教授讲课深入浅出，大家都听得懂。

Formal/Praise

"循循善诱"

— To lead students forward step by step with patience. A hallmark of good 讲课.

老师讲课循循善诱，非常有耐心。

Formal/Praise

"口若悬河"

— To speak with great eloquence, like a waterfall. Can describe a very fluent lecturer.

他讲课时口若悬河，很有魅力。

Literary

"言之有物"

— To speak with substance. Used when a lecture is meaningful.

他的讲课言之有物，不是空话。

Formal

"绘声绘色"

— To describe something vividly. Used for storytelling within a lecture.

老师讲课绘声绘色，像在讲故事。

Neutral

"废话连篇"

— Full of nonsense. Used to criticize a boring or useless lecture.

这次讲课废话连篇，浪费时间。

Informal/Criticism

"引人入胜"

— Fascinating/Enchanting. Used for a lecture that holds attention.

这堂讲课非常引人入胜。

Neutral

"枯燥无味"

— Dry and tasteless. Common criticism of a bad lecture.

讲课内容枯燥无味，学生都睡着了。

Neutral

"字字珠玑"

— Every word is a gem. High praise for a brilliant lecture.

老教授的讲课字字珠玑，值得记录。

Literary

"滔滔不绝"

— Talking without end. Can be positive (eloquent) or negative (won't stop).

他讲起课来滔滔不绝。

Neutral

Easily Confused

讲课 vs 上课

Both involve being in a classroom.

上课 is the general event. Students '上课' (attend), teachers '上课' (conduct). '讲课' is specifically the teacher's verbal instruction.

学生在教室上课，老师在教室讲课。

讲课 vs 教

Both mean 'to teach'.

教 is a general verb for any skill. 讲课 is specific to classroom/lecture delivery.

他教我打球，老师给我讲课。

讲课 vs 讲解

Both involve explaining things.

讲解 is simply explaining a specific point or item (like a museum guide). 讲课 is a full lesson.

导游在讲解画作，老师在讲课。

讲课 vs 演讲

Both involve speaking to an audience.

演讲 is a public speech (rhetorical). 讲课 is an educational lesson (pedagogical).

总统在演讲，教授在讲课。

讲课 vs 授课

Both mean lecturing.

授课 is more formal/administrative. 讲课 is the common, everyday term for the act.

该教授本学期授课两门，他现在正在讲课。

Sentence Patterns

老师在讲课。

Teacher is lecturing.

老师给学生讲课。

Teacher lectures to students.

老师讲课讲得很好。

Teacher lectures very well.

老师讲了一个小时的课。

Teacher lectured for one hour.

这是今天的讲课内容。

This is today's lecture content.

他的讲课方式很特别。

His lecturing style is very special.

讲课旨在传播知识。

Lecturing aims to spread knowledge.

讲课之余，他写了很多书。

Aside from lecturing, he wrote many books.

Word Family

Nouns

课程 (kèchéng) - Curriculum/Course

课堂 (kètáng) - Classroom

课本 (kèběn) - Textbook

讲师 (jiǎngshī) - Lecturer

Verbs

讲 (jiǎng) - To speak/explain

上课 (shàngkè) - To attend/give a class

听课 (tīngkè) - To listen to a lecture

备课 (bèikè) - To prepare a lesson

Adjectives

好学的 (hàoxué de) - Studious

博学的 (bóxué de) - Erudite

教师 (jiàoshī)

学生 (xuésheng)

教室 (jiàoshì)

学校 (xuéxiào)

教育 (jiàoyù)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in academic and training contexts.

Common Mistakes

讲课学生 → 给学生讲课
You cannot put a direct object after a VO compound like 讲课. Use '给' to show the recipient.
讲课了两个小时 → 讲了两个小时课
Duration must be placed between the verb (讲) and the object (课).
学生正在讲课 → 学生正在上课
Unless the student is the teacher, they are 'attending class' (上课), not 'giving a lecture' (讲课).
讲课数学 → 讲数学课
The specific subject should modify '课' or replace it, not follow the whole phrase.
讲课很好 → 讲课讲得很好
When using '得' to describe the action, the verb '讲' must be repeated.

Tips

Split the Verb

Remember that 讲课 is separable. To say 'lecture for an hour,' put the hour in the middle: 讲了一个小时课.

Don't confuse with 上课

Students '上课', teachers '讲课'. If you say '学生在讲课', it sounds like the student has taken over the teacher's job!

Use '得' for quality

To describe how someone teaches, use the 'Verb + 得' pattern. Remember to repeat the verb: 讲课讲得好.

Respect the Podium

In China, 讲课 is a respected activity. Use it when referring to the professional skill of your instructors.

Use '给' for audience

Always use '给 [Audience] 讲课'. Never put the audience directly after the word.

Context Clues

If you hear '讲课' in a company, it likely refers to a training session, not a school lesson.

The 'K' for Knowledge

Think of 'Kè' as the Knowledge being passed during the talk (Jiǎng).

Add Adverbs

Pair 讲课 with words like '生动' (vivid) or '精彩' (wonderful) to sound more like a native speaker.

Subject Matter

You can replace '课' with the subject. Instead of '讲课数学', say '讲数学课' or just '讲数学'.

Lecture Fees

If you are hiring a speaker, ask about their '讲课费' (honorarium).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a teacher 'Speaking' (讲) about a 'Kernel' of knowledge in a 'Class' (课). J-I-A-N-G (Just Imagine A New Guy) lecturing on K-E (Knowledge Every day).

Visual Association

Visualize a teacher standing at a podium (讲台) with a giant book (课本) open, their mouth moving as speech bubbles float toward students.

Word Web

Teacher Classroom Whiteboard Lecture Notes Explanation Knowledge Audience

Challenge

Try to say 'The teacher lectured for three hours' in Chinese using the separable verb rule: 老师讲了三个小时的课.

Word Origin

The character 讲 (jiǎng) consists of the 'speech' radical 讠 and the phonetic 井. Originally, it meant to explain or discuss. The character 课 (kè) consists of the 'speech' radical 讠 and 果 (fruit/result), originally referring to an assessment or a task involving speaking.

Original meaning: To discuss a task or explain an assessment.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Always use '老师' (Teacher) or the person's title when discussing their 讲课. Just saying 'He is lecturing' (他在讲课) is fine, but in person, addressing the act with respect is important.

In the West, 'lecturing' can sometimes have a negative connotation (e.g., 'Stop lecturing me!'). In China, '讲课' is generally neutral or positive, emphasizing professional skill.

百家讲坛 (Lecture Room) - A famous CCTV program where scholars lecture on history and culture. 孔子 (Confucius) - The ultimate icon of 讲课 in Chinese history. 公开课 (Open Courses) - Popular online platforms like NetEase Open Courses.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Environment

教授讲课
大教室讲课
听教授讲课
讲课笔记

Corporate Training

专家讲课
员工培训讲课
讲课费
讲课内容

Online Learning

录制讲课视频
直播讲课
在线讲课
讲课课件

Teacher Evaluation

讲课比赛
公开课讲课
讲课水平
评价讲课

Daily Life

老师在讲课
别讲课了
听他讲课
认真讲课

Conversation Starters

"你觉得那位新来的老师讲课怎么样？"

"今天下午的讲课是在哪个教室？"

"你喜欢听这种大课还是小课？"

"老师讲课的时候你通常做笔记吗？"

"我们要不要去听一下王教授的讲课？"

Journal Prompts

描述一位你最喜欢的老师，说说他/她讲课的风格是什么样的。

如果你是一名老师，你会选择什么样的讲课方式来吸引学生？

记一次让你印象深刻的讲课，你学到了什么？

你认为在线讲课和面对面讲课有什么区别？哪种更好？

讨论一下，什么样的讲课内容最能激发你的学习兴趣。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you cannot. 讲课 is a verb-object phrase. You must use '给学生讲课' (give a lecture to students).

Usually, yes. It refers to anyone in a teaching or expert role delivering a presentation. A student wouldn't '讲课' unless they were presenting a lesson to others.

If you are the student, say '我今天有课' or '我今天要上课.' If you are the teacher, you can say '我今天要讲课.'

Use 堂 (táng) or 节 (jié) for a single lesson, or 场 (chǎng) for a specific event/lecture.

It is neutral but leans towards professional. It is the standard term used in schools and offices.

Yes, it is very common to describe online instructional content as 讲课.

讲课 is a regular lesson in a series. 讲座 is a one-off seminar or special presentation.

You can say '讲课内容很枯燥' or '老师讲课讲得很无聊.'

Mostly, but it can also be a corporate meeting room or an online platform. It implies an educational setting.

Yes, it can function as a noun meaning 'the lecture' or 'teaching,' as in '讲课技巧' (teaching skills).