Translation and Meaning of: 聴講 - choukou

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 聴講 (ちょうこう). It may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting nuances in its meaning and use. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is applied in everyday Japanese life, and some tips for memorizing it efficiently. Whether to expand your vocabulary or to better understand Japanese culture, this guide will help you uncover 聴講 in a clear and practical way.

Meaning and use of 聴講 (ちょうこう)

聴講 (ちょうこう) is a term composed of the kanjis 聴 (to listen) and 講 (lecture, class), and its main meaning is "to attend a lecture" or "to participate in a class as an auditor." Unlike 受講 (じゅこう), which implies active enrollment in a course, 聴講 specifically refers to listening to a class without necessarily being formally registered.

In the Japanese academic context, it is common for universities to allow students from other courses or even outsiders to attend classes as 聴講生 (ちょうこうせい), meaning listeners. This practice is valued in Japan, as it demonstrates an interest in knowledge, even without the obligation to undertake assessments or assignments.

Origin and structure of kanjis

The word 聴講 has its origins in classical Chinese, like many other academic terms in Japanese. The kanji 聴 combines the radical for "to hear" (耳) with the component 徳 (virtue), suggesting attentive and respectful listening. Meanwhile, 講 comes from the radical 言 (speech) and indicates discourse or instruction.

It is worth noting that 聴講 is not an extremely common word in daily life, but it frequently appears in formal environments, such as universities and academic events. Its use is more technical than colloquial, which explains why many Japanese students only encounter it in specific contexts.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to solidify 聴講 is to associate it with real situations. For example, if you have ever attended a lecture without being a regular student, that experience fits perfectly within the concept of 聴講. Creating flashcards with sentences like "大学で経済学の授業を聴講する" (attend an economics class at the university) also helps to internalize the term.

Another tip is to pay attention to the kanji 聴, which also appears in words like 聴覚 (hearing) and 傾聴 (active listening). Recognizing these connections facilitates the learning not only of this word but of an entire group of related vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 聴取 (choushu) - Listen; the act of hearing something, usually in a context of investigation or examination.
• 聴く (kiku) - Listen; the act of paying attention to sound, especially in musical or learning contexts.
• 聞く (kiku) - Listen; to hear something that is happening, usually in a more casual and less intentional manner than 聴く.
• 受講 (jukou) - Participate in a class or course; attend a lecture.
• 参加する (sanka suru) - Participate; engage in meetings or activities, not necessarily related to listening.
• 聴講する (choukou suru) - Attending or participating in a lecture or class; a more specific type of auditory participation.

聴講

Romaji: choukou
Kana: ちょうこう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: Frequency of lectures; audit

Meaning in English: lecture attendance;auditing

Definition: A way to participate in classes, lectures, etc. just by listening.

Example Sentences - (聴講) choukou

See below some example sentences:

私は大学で聴講することが好きです。

Watashi wa daigaku de chōkō suru koto ga suki desu

I like to attend university lectures.

I like to listen to college.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 大学 (daigaku) - noun meaning "university"
• で (de) - particle indicating the place where the action takes place, in this case "at the university"
• 聴講する (choukou suru) - compound verb meaning "to attend classes without being enrolled"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating action or event
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "attending classes without being enrolled"
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality in the sentence