‘课表’ (kè biǎo) literally combines ‘课’ (kè), meaning ‘class’ or ‘lesson’, and ‘表’ (biǎo), meaning ‘chart’, ‘table’, or ‘schedule’. Together, it refers to a structured timetable listing classes—typically by day and time—used by students and teachers in schools and universities. It’s an essential tool for organizing academic life, showing when and where each subject is taught.

This word is commonly used in educational contexts: students check their 课表 before class, teachers post updated 课表 at the start of each term, and school administrators manage course offerings using digital or printed 课表. Unlike general terms like ‘时间表’ (shíjiān biǎo, ‘schedule’) which can refer to any timed plan, 课表 specifically denotes an academic class schedule. It’s neutral in register and appropriate for both spoken and written Chinese.