shàng kè
attend class; have a class
老师在上课。
lǎoshī zài shàngkè.
The teacher is teaching.
我们在上课。
wǒmen zài shàngkè.
We are in class.
他们在上课。
tāmen zài shàngkè.
They are in class.
上课 (shàng kè)
attend class
听课 (tīng kè)
listen to a lecture
读书 (dú shū)
study
下课 (xià kè)
get out of class
放学 (fàng xué)
school's out
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The Chinese word 上课 (shàngkè) is composed of two characters: 上 (shàng) and 课 (kè). The character 上 originally meant "to ascend" or "to go up", but it has also been used to indicate a superior position or status. In the context of 上课, it refers to the teacher's position of authority in the classroom. The character 课 originally meant "a lesson" or "a period of study", and it is still used in this sense today. When combined, the two characters 上课 literally mean "to go up to class", but they are more commonly translated as "to attend class" or "to have class".
