How to Say "Period" in Japanese

期間

kikan[kʲi̥kã̠ɴ]

The English word 'period' can be translated into Japanese as 期間 (kikan).

期間 is used for abstract or measurable spans of time, such as a trial period, a vacation period or a period of time during which something occurs.

Meaning: interval of time (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word 期間 is composed of 紀 (to mark/record) and 間 (interval/space).

Adding the suffix 中 (chū) to 期間 creates the phrase 期間中 (kikan-chū), meaning 'during the period' or 'within the period'.

kikan

While 期間 (kikan) refers to a span of time, the Japanese word for a menstrual 'period' is 生理 (seiri). This word literally means 'physiological function' and is often used as a polite euphemism.
Japanese has a specific word for a 'period' of silence or a pause in conversation called 間 (ma). Mastering the 'ma' is considered an essential part of Japanese social etiquette and traditional arts like Noh theatre.
The word 期間 (kikan) can be confused with the homophone 機関 (kikan), which means 'organ' or 'engine'. Despite sounding the same, the kanji characters completely change the meaning from time to machinery.

私の試用期間は終わりに近づいてきている。
The end of my probation period is nearing.
This sentence is useful for discussing the end of a probation period using 期間.
Tatoeba #1529755 by CHNO, translation #1556539 by brymck
新しいデバイスを購入した顧客は、プロモーションとして追加の試用期間を利用できます。
Customers who purchase a new device can enjoy additional trial period as a promotional offer.
This sentence is useful for describing an additional trial period using 期間.
Tatoeba #13537099 by LeviHighway, translation #13511559 by LeviHighway
このイベントはよい時期に行われるべきです。
This event should take place at a good time.
また、この映画の持続時間は二時間です。
Also, the duration of this movie is two hours.
もうこれで終わりだよ。
That's it, we're done now.
この期間はとても忙しいです。
Kono kikan wa totemo isogashii desu.
This period is very busy.

Two colleagues are discussing their project schedule at the office.

陽葵 Himari

この作業の期間はどのくらいですか？
Kono sagyō no kikan wa dono kurai desu ka?
How long is the period for this work?
健太 Kenta

一週間ほどの期間を予定しています。
Isshūkan hodo no kikan o yotei shite imasu.
I am planning for a period of about one week.
陽葵 Himari

分かりました。健太さん、お願いします。
Wakarimashita. Kenta-san, onegaishimasu.
Understood. Kenta, please take care of it.
健太 Kenta

はい、精一杯頑張ります。
Hai, seiippai ganbarimasu.
Yes, I will do my best.

Sources

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