der Kurs
course
A class or series of lessons on a specific topic.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich für einen Italienischkurs angemeldet.
I signed up for an Italian course.
der Kurs
course / rate
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Meanings
der Kurs
rate
The price at which a currency, stock, or other security is traded.
EXAMPLE
Der Kurs der Aktie ist heute um fünf Prozent gestiegen.
The stock's rate rose by five percent today.
der Kurs
course
The fixed or chosen direction in which a vehicle, especially a ship or aircraft, is moving.
EXAMPLE
Der Kapitän änderte den Kurs, um dem Eisberg auszuweichen.
The captain changed course to avoid the iceberg.
der Kurs
course
The general direction or strategy in politics, business, or personal action.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Regierung will einen strengeren Kurs in der Finanzpolitik fahren.
The new government wants to pursue a stricter course in financial policy.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'Kurs' depends heavily on context. Pay attention to the verbs and nouns in the sentence: Is it about learning (m01), money (m02), a direction (m03), or politics (m04)?
EXAMPLE
Ich mache einen Kochkurs.
I'm taking a cooking course.
Kurs as a class
In an educational context, 'Kurs' is often used with verbs such as 'besuchen' (to attend), 'machen' (to take/do), or 'belegen' (to take/enroll in). You can also 'sich für einen Kurs anmelden' (sign up for a course).
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Semester möchte ich einen Spanischkurs belegen.
Next semester I want to take a Spanish course.
Kurs as a price
In a financial context, people talk about the 'Kurs einer Aktie' (the rate/price of a stock) or 'einer Währung' (of a currency). Typical verbs are 'steigen' (to rise), 'fallen' (to fall), 'sinken' (to drop), or 'stabil sein' (to be stable).
EXAMPLE
Der Kurs der Technologie-Aktien ist heute stark gestiegen.
The rate of technology stocks rose sharply today.
Kurs as direction
In shipping or aviation, 'Kurs' is used with verbs such as 'halten' (to maintain), 'ändern' (to change), or 'verlassen' (to leave). The phrase 'vom Kurs abkommen' means to leave the planned route.
EXAMPLE
Der Pilot musste den Kurs ändern, um das Gewitter zu umfliegen.
The pilot had to change course to fly around the thunderstorm.
Kurs as strategy
When it comes to politics or a company strategy, 'Kurs' is used with verbs such as 'fahren' (to pursue), 'verfolgen' (to follow/pursue), or 'beibehalten' (to maintain).
EXAMPLE
Die Firma verfolgt einen neuen, umweltfreundlichen Kurs.
The company is pursuing a new, environmentally friendly course.
Compare with
RichtungWertKlassePreisLinieUnterrichtWerkstattRouteSeminarWorkshopArbeitsgemeinschaftSchulungModulLehrgangCourseLehrveranstaltungGangart
Kurs vs Richtung
direction
Richtung refers to a general movement or tendency in politics. Kurs places greater emphasis on a consciously chosen and pursued political strategy. Richtung is appropriate for a general classification; Kurs is more appropriate for specific strategic goals and measures.
Kurs
Die neue Regierung verfolgt bewusst einen strengeren wirtschaftspolitischen Kurs.
The new government is deliberately pursuing a stricter economic policy course.
Richtung
Die politische Richtung der neuen Regierung ist bereits deutlich erkennbar.
The political direction of the new government is already clearly apparent.
In real life
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