NetChai Chinese
网课
wǎng kè
Online class · trad. 網課

网课 (wǎngkè) is the most common and concise way to say "online class" in Mandarin Chinese. It refers to any class or course delivered over the internet, whether live or pre-recorded. It became especially prevalent during the pandemic.

When to use it

Neutral and widely understood. For a more formal or descriptive term, you can use 线上课程 (xiànshàng kèchéng). If you want to talk about the broader concept of 'remote learning', 远程学习 (yuǎnchéng xuéxí) is appropriate.

How to pronounce it

Sounds like “WAHNG-kuh.” The first syllable, 网, is a third tone (falling-rising); the second, 课, is a fourth tone (falling).

Other ways to say it

  • 线上课程xiàn shàng kè chéngonline course (more formal/descriptive)
  • 上网课shàng wǎng kèto take/attend an online class
  • 远程学习yuǎn chéng xué xíremote learning

Examples

我今天有三节网课。
wǒ jīn tiān yǒu sān jié wǎng kè 。
I have three online classes today.
你喜欢上网课还是去学校？
nǐ xǐ huan shàng wǎng kè hái shì qù xué xiào ？
Do you prefer taking online classes or going to school?
很多大学都提供了丰富的网课资源。
hěn duō dà xué dōu tí gōng le fēng fù de wǎng kè zī yuán 。
Many universities offer a wealth of online course resources.
Pro tip: To say "to take an online class," Chinese uses the verb 上 (shàng), which literally means "to go up" or "to attend." So, you say 上网课 (shàng wǎngkè).

Related phrases

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