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.
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.
この授業はとても面白いです。
This course is very interesting.
来学期に歴史の授業を取るつもりです。
I plan to take a history course next semester.
Often used for a structured course or lecture series, sometimes outside of regular school curriculum (e.g., extension courses, special seminars).
夏期講座に申し込みました。
I signed up for a summer course.
この大学ではオンライン講座を提供しています。
This university offers online courses.
Loanword from English, widely understood. Often used for training programs, language courses, or set curricula.
英会話コースに通っています。
I'm taking an English conversation course.
Refers to a subject or course in an academic context, often as part of a curriculum.
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.
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.
卒業後の進路について先生に相談した。
I consulted my teacher about my course after graduation.
台風の進路が変わった。
The typhoon's course changed.
General word for direction. Can be used for physical movement or abstract development.
Route or path, often used in navigation or logistics.
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).
ディナーは5コースでした。
Dinner was a five-course meal.
メインコースはステーキです。
The main course is steak.
Counter for dishes/courses. Often used with numbers.
このコースは全部で8品あります。
This course has eight dishes in total.
An area of land used for golf or racing.
Used for golf courses, race tracks, ski courses, etc.
このゴルフコースは難しい。
This golf course is difficult.
マラソンのコースは街の中を通ります。
The marathon course goes through the city.
A way of acting or proceeding.
Policy, course of action, plan.
新しい方針を決める必要がある。
We need to decide on a new course of action.
Literally 'the path one should take', meaning the best course of action.
今、取るべき道はこれしかない。
This is the only course of action we can take now.
Used to express certainty or agreement.
Standard translation for 'of course'.
もちろん、手伝いますよ。
Of course I'll help.
Means 'naturally' or 'as a matter of course'. Slightly more formal.
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.
歴史の授業を取る
take a history course
船は南の方向に進んだ。
The ship continued on a southerly course.
Check the plane's course.
当然、彼は怒った。
Of course he got angry.