Turma vs. classe vs. aula
In English, the word class is used broadly to describe a group of students, the lesson being taught, and even categories or physical rooms. In Portuguese, you must choose between classe, turma, and aula depending on exactly what you mean. While turma and classe refer to the actual group of students, aula is used exclusively for the lesson or period of instruction.
Turma
A1The word turma is the most common, everyday term used to describe the actual group of students or a cohort studying together in the same course, grade, or school.
A turma organizou uma festa surpresa para o professor.
(The class organized a surprise party for the teacher.)
Quantos alunos há na sua turma este ano?
(How many students are in your class this year?)
Ele não se dá bem com o resto da turma.
(He does not get along with the rest of the class.)
Esta faculdade forma uma turma de médicos todos os semestres.
(This college graduates a class of doctors every semester.)
A professora pediu silêncio para a turma inteira.
(The teacher asked the entire class for silence.)
Classe
A2The word classe can also refer to a group of students, but it is typically used in a more formal, academic, or administrative context, such as referring to class representatives or rankings.
Ela foi eleita a nova representante de classe.
(She was elected the new class representative.)
O professor tem controle absoluto sobre a classe.
(The teacher has absolute control over the class.)
Os alunos desta classe precisam de atenção extra nas provas.
(The students in this class need extra attention on their tests.)
A foto oficial da classe será tirada amanhã pela manhã.
(The official class photo will be taken tomorrow morning.)
Ele sempre tira as melhores notas da sua classe.
(He always gets the best grades in his class.)
Aula
A1The word aula translates to class, but it never refers to the group of students. Instead, it translates to the class as an event, referring strictly to the lesson, the lecture, or the period of instruction.
Nós temos uma prova importante na próxima aula.
(We have an important test in the next class.)
A aula de história foi cancelada por causa da chuva.
(The history class was canceled because of the rain.)
Ela sempre anota tudo durante a aula.
(She always takes notes of everything during class.)
O diretor interrompeu a aula para dar um aviso enorme.
(The principal interrupted the class to give a huge announcement.)
Eles almoçam juntos todos os dias depois da aula.
(They eat lunch together every day after class.)
Summary
To summarize, when translating the English word class, use turma when referring to your peers or a specific cohort of students, use classe when talking about the group of students in a formal or administrative way, and strictly use aula when you are talking about the lesson, lecture, or educational event.