‘授课’ is a verb meaning ‘to teach (a class)’ — specifically, the act of delivering instruction in an organized, formal setting such as a school, university, or training course. It emphasizes the instructor’s active role in presenting content to students, rather than broader educational activities like grading or lesson planning. The first character 授 (shòu) means ‘to confer,’ ‘to impart,’ or ‘to bestow,’ often implying transfer of knowledge or authority; the second character 课 (kè) means ‘class,’ ‘lesson,’ or ‘course.’ Together, they literally convey ‘imparting a class’ — highlighting the transmission of structured learning.

This word is commonly used in academic, professional, and institutional contexts: professors 授课 at universities, corporate trainers 授课 on compliance topics, and online instructors 授课 via video platforms. It carries a formal, professional register and is rarely used for casual or informal teaching (e.g., helping a friend with homework). While it can appear as a noun (e.g., ‘his授课 was clear’), its primary function is verbal, typically followed by objects like 课程 (course), 学生 (students), or a time/location phrase.