下课 vs 上完课

[trasder]

Hi,

 

Can you explain to me the difference between 下课  vs 上完课 ? Is there any? (maybe like finishing a lesson vs finishing the school day?)

 

[Guest realmayo]

I *think* (but not sure!) 上课 and 下课 aren't exact opposites, because 上课 can be either 'start this class, this class starts' or it can mean to take a course. But I think 下课 just means 'this class is done'. So 上完课 would be that the process of taking this course is now finished, I've finished the course. And if this 'course' meaning also includes 'the classes for today' then yes I think you're right.

[becky82]

By the way, being dismissed at the end of the school day is 放学.

[cncorrect]

There's no difference. Don't make it complex. I often hear students and teachers say '我现在下课了。' or '我现在上完课了。' in real life, meaning they are free from class now.