v.
to finish class; class is over
下课
to finish class; class is over
Literally 'descend from class' (下 go down/finish + 课 class). To finish or dismiss a lesson; opposite of 上课.
Common Usage & Traps
- 下课了 — class is over
- 下课以后 — after class
- 快下课了 — class is almost over
-
我去下课我去上课下课 means class is ending; if you're heading to class, use 上课.
Why does 下课 mean class is over, while 上课 can mean both go to class and teach class?
下 means leave class; 上 means enter or start class.
下 pulls you out of the classroom; 上 pushes you into it or starts the session. 下课 describes the moment when a class ends and students leave the room. 上课 describes the moment when a class starts or someone attends/teaches it. Context tells you whether the person is a student or a teacher in the room.
“上班和下班，
上课和下课，
上午和下午。” (Clock in and clock out, start class and end class, morning and afternoon.)
“上班和下班，
上课和下课，
上午和下午。” (Clock in and clock out, start class and end class, morning and afternoon.)
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Class just ended | 下课了。 | 上课了。 |
| Going to attend class | 我去上课。 | 我去下课。 |
| Teacher starts lesson | 老师上课。 | 老师下课。 |
If class just ended, why do you say 下课了 instead of just 下课?
了 marks the new situation: class is over now.
Use 下课了 when the bell rings and everyone is free to go. Use plain 下课 for schedules, signs, or after 快, 要, or 三点. The 了 here is the 了 that marks a new situation, not a past-tense button.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Class just ended | 下课了。 | 下课。 |
| Future timetable | 三点下课。 | 三点下课了。 |
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- Scene #1
上班和下班，上课和 下课 ，上午和下午。
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