01
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
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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
Kurs vs Politik
politics / policy
'die Politik' and 'der Kurs' can both describe what direction a government, party, or organization is taking. 'Politik' refers more to the overall actions, decisions, and goals in an area. 'Kurs' emphasizes the direction or line being pursued. So you can say that a party changes its 'Politik' (policy), or more specifically, that it takes a new 'Kurs' (course). The words can be confused because both appear in topics such as government, economics, or business. However, 'Kurs' is only the orientation or direction, not all political action as a whole.
Kurs
Nach der Wahl ändert die Partei ihren Kurs in der Umweltpolitik.
After the election, the party is changing its course on environmental policy.
Politik
Die neue Politik der Stadt soll mehr Wohnungen für Familien schaffen.
The city's new policy is intended to create more housing for families.
In real life
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