Translation guide
The English word "course" has many distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a class or series of lessons, a direction or path, a part of a meal, and a few others. Each meaning has different natural Japanese equivalents.
I'm taking a course.
Referring to an educational class, lecture series, or training program.
General term for a class or lesson, often part of a larger curriculum. Can be used for a single session or a series.
This course is very interesting.
Often used for a structured course or lecture series, sometimes outside of regular school curriculum (e.g., extension courses, special seminars).
Loanword from English, widely understood. Often used for training programs, language courses, or set curricula.
Refers to a subject or course in an academic context, often as part of a curriculum.
The route or direction something moves or develops.
Refers to a course or path, often in terms of career, life, or a ship/aircraft's route.
One of the successive parts of a meal (appetizer, main course, dessert, etc.).
Used in the context of a multi-course meal (e.g., フルコース).
An area of land used for golf or racing.
Used for golf courses, race tracks, ski courses, etc.
A way of acting or proceeding.
Used to express certainty or agreement.
While コース is a common loanword, it is not used for educational classes in the same way as 'course' in English. Use 授業 or 講座 for academic courses.
take a history course
I plan to take a history course next semester.
夏期講座に申し込みました。
I signed up for a summer course.
This university offers online courses.
I'm taking an English conversation course.
必修科目をすべて履修しなければなりません。
You must take all the required courses.
I consulted my teacher about my course after graduation.
The typhoon's course changed.
General word for direction. Can be used for physical movement or abstract development.
The ship continued on a southerly course.
Route or path, often used in navigation or logistics.
Check the plane's course.
Dinner was a five-course meal.
The main course is steak.
Counter for dishes/courses. Often used with numbers.
This course has eight dishes in total.
This golf course is difficult.
The marathon course goes through the city.
Policy, course of action, plan.
We need to decide on a new course of action.
Literally 'the path one should take', meaning the best course of action.
This is the only course of action we can take now.
Standard translation for 'of course'.
Of course I'll help.
Means 'naturally' or 'as a matter of course'. Slightly more formal.
Of course he got angry.