Inklingo
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curso

/KOOR-soh/

course

A student sitting at a wooden desk with an open textbook, surrounded by colorful crayons and supplies, representing a specific class.

Curso meaning 'course' or 'class'.

curso(noun)

mA1

course

?

a specific class or subject

,

module

?

a unit of study

Also:

training session

?

professional development

📝 In Action

Quiero apuntarme a un curso de cocina italiana.

A1

I want to sign up for an Italian cooking course.

Este curso es muy intensivo y dura tres meses.

A2

This course is very intensive and lasts three months.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • clase (class)
  • asignatura (subject)

Common Collocations

  • curso intensivo – intensive course
  • tomar un curso – to take a course

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'curso'

Remember that 'curso' is always masculine, so use 'el curso' or 'un curso'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'curso' and 'carrera'

Mistake: "Voy a empezar mi curso de derecho. (Meaning: entire degree)"

Correction: Voy a empezar mi carrera de derecho. ('Curso' refers to one class or one academic year, not a whole degree program.)

A colorful illustration showing a transition. On the left, a school building is surrounded by green trees, transitioning to the right where the same building is surrounded by snow, symbolizing the passage of the full school year.

Curso meaning 'academic year'.

curso(noun)

mA2

academic year

?

the full school year

,

grade level

?

year of study

Also:

school year

?

primary/secondary education

📝 In Action

Mi hermana está en el segundo curso de la universidad.

A2

My sister is in the second year of university.

El próximo curso escolar empieza en septiembre.

B1

The next school year starts in September.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • año (year)
  • ciclo (cycle)

Common Collocations

  • curso escolar – school year
  • primer curso – first year/grade

💡 Grammar Points

Counting Years

To specify the year level, Spanish uses ordinal numbers (primer, segundo, tercer) before 'curso' when referring to the grade.

A serene illustration of a winding blue river flowing steadily through a green valley with small, rolling hills, depicting the continuous movement of water.

Curso meaning 'flow' or 'current'.

curso(noun)

mB1

flow

?

of water, air, or events

,

path

?

direction or movement

Also:

stream

?

water movement

📝 In Action

El curso del río se desvió por la sequía.

B1

The flow/course of the river was diverted due to the drought.

Hay que dejar que los acontecimientos sigan su curso natural.

C1

We must let events follow their natural course.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • seguir su curso – to take its course
  • el curso de los eventos – the course of events

Idioms & Expressions

  • dar curso a algo – to process or allow something to proceed (e.g., an application)

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Usage

This meaning is generally used in more formal writing or when speaking metaphorically about time or situations.

A winding yellow brick road stretching from the foreground toward a distant, sunlit horizon, symbolizing a journey or process currently underway.

Curso used in the phrase en curso, meaning 'in progress'.

curso(noun)

mB2

in progress

?

used in the phrase 'en curso'

,

underway

?

still happening

Also:

ongoing

?

continuing

📝 In Action

El proyecto de construcción está en curso y terminará el mes que viene.

B2

The construction project is underway and will finish next month.

Las negociaciones siguen en curso a pesar de los problemas.

C1

The negotiations are still in progress despite the problems.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • activo (active)
  • marcha (in motion (often used in 'en marcha'))

Common Collocations

  • estar en curso – to be in progress
  • investigación en curso – ongoing investigation

💡 Grammar Points

Fixed Phrase

The expression 'en curso' is a fixed phrase, meaning it is almost always used exactly this way, usually following a noun to describe its status.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: curso

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'curso' to mean the entire academic year?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cursar(to study (a subject)) - verb
cursillo(short course/workshop) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How is 'curso' different from 'clase'?

'Curso' usually refers to the entire structured program or subject (like 'History 101'). 'Clase' usually refers to a single meeting or session of that course (like 'today's class'). You take a 'curso,' and you attend a 'clase.'

Can I use 'curso' to talk about the flow of time?

Yes, absolutely! You can say 'el curso del tiempo' (the course of time) or 'en el curso de los años' (in the course of the years). This is a more poetic or formal usage.