下半期

• Reading: しもはんき
• Romaji: shimohanki
• Kanji breakdown: 下 (ka/shimo) — lower, latter; 半 (han) — half; 期 (ki) — period, term
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.mo.haŋ.ki/

Meaning

The second half of a year; in business contexts, typically October to March in the Japanese fiscal year (April–March).

A business and financial noun paired with 上半期 (first half of the year). In the Japanese fiscal year, 下半期 covers October to March. Used extensively in corporate planning, performance reviews, financial reporting, and budget adjustments. The expression 下半期に向けて (heading into the second half) is a common phrase in corporate communications.

Examples

1. 下半期は新規顧客の開拓に力を入れる。 In the second half of the year, we will focus on acquiring new customers.
2. 上半期の赤字を下半期で取り戻す計画だ。 The plan is to recover the first half's losses in the second half.
3. 下半期に入ってから、市場の回復が見られるようになった。 After entering the second half, signs of market recovery began to appear.

Usage Guide

Context: business, finance, corporate, economics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 下 (lower, latter) and 半期 (half period/term). The 上/下 pairing follows a traditional East Asian convention of dividing periods into upper (first) and lower (latter) halves.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Working adults

Social background: Professional