功课
老师布置了很多功课。
The teacher assigned a lot of homework.
Homework or schoolwork assigned by teachers to students.
我必须完成所有的功课才能出去玩。
I have to finish all my homework before I can go out to play.
In modern usage, '功课' is often used interchangeably with '作业' (zuòyè), though '作业' is more common in everyday speech.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
'功课' is more formal and often used in writing or formal speech, while '作业' is more common in everyday conversation.
Word Origin
From '功' (gōng, meaning 'work' or 'achievement') and '课' (kè, meaning 'lesson' or 'class'). The term originally referred to the work or effort required to master a subject, but it has since come to mean the assignments given by teachers.
Usage Notes
'功课' is more commonly used in formal or written contexts, while '作业' is more frequently used in spoken language. In some regions, '功课' may also refer to the broader concept of studying or learning, similar to 'study' in English.