学期
gakki[ɡa̠k̚ʲkʲi]
The Japanese word for "semester" is 学期 (gakki).
The term 学期 is a general word for an academic term or any period of schooling, whereas the English "semester" specifically implies a division of a year into two parts. You can use 春学期 for "Spring Semester" and 秋学期 for "Fall Semester". If you are referring to a three-semester system, the term used is トリメスター. Additionally, the phrase 期末試験 is used to indicate final exams held at the end of a semester.
Meaning: half of school year (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 学期 is composed of 学, meaning "study" or "learning" and 期, meaning "period" or "term".
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify which semester you are referring to, you can place an ordinal number before the word, such as 第一学期 (first semester). When counting semesters directly, you attach the number to the word, as seen in 二学期 (second semester).
How do you pronounce it?
gakki
Did you know?
- In Japanese schools, the transition to a new 学年 occurs in April, which coincides with the blooming of cherry blossoms. This cultural link makes the start of the first 学期 a symbol of new beginnings and emotional farewells.
- While many universities use two 学期, most primary and secondary schools in Japan follow a three-term system. This means students have three distinct academic periods per year instead of two.
- The character 期 in 学期 can also be used to describe a 'period' of pregnancy, such as 妊娠期.
Examples in context
- 二学期は終わった。Second semester has ended.This sentence shows how to state that the second semester has ended using 学期.Tatoeba #123150 by arnab, translation #494252 by CK
- 新学期が始まっちゃった。The new school semester has started.This sentence uses 学期 to describe the start of a new school semester.Tatoeba #9052461 by small_snow, translation #7822980 by basilhan
- 新学期がスタートしました。The new semester has started.This sentence uses 学期 to express that a new semester has started.Tatoeba #9052460 by small_snow, translation #9052477 by CK
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two university students talking about their study schedule in a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔君は今学期、何科目取るの？Hiroto-kun wa kon-gakki, nan-kamoku toru no?Hiroto, how many subjects are you taking this semester?
- 大翔 Hiroto全部で五科目取る予定だよ。Zenbu de go-kamoku toru yotei da yo.I plan to take five subjects in total.
- 陽葵 Himari大変そうだね、無理しないでね。Taihen sou da ne, muri shinai de ne.That sounds tough, don't overdo it.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、陽葵ちゃんも頑張ってね。Arigatou, Himari-chan mo ganbatte ne.Thanks, good luck to you too, Himari.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “semester” translations and entries 学期, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
