学期

• Reading: がっき
• Romaji: gakki
• Kanji breakdown: 学 (gaku) — study, learning; 期 (ki) — period, term
• Pronunciation: /ɡak.ki/

Meaning

School term; semester; academic term. A defined period within the school year.

A noun referring to the divisions of the academic year. Japanese schools traditionally use a three-term system: 一学期 (first term, April–July), 二学期 (second term, September–December), and 三学期 (third term, January–March). Universities may use 前期/後期 (first/second semester) instead. Common collocations include 新学期 (new term) and 学期末 (end of term).

Examples

1. 新しい学期が始まるのが楽しみだ。 I'm looking forward to the new semester starting.
2. 一学期の成績はとてもよかった。 My grades for the first term were very good.
3. 学期の終わりに大きなテストがある。 There's a big test at the end of the term.

Usage Guide

Context: school, education, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 学 (study, learning) and 期 (period, term). Together they mean the period designated for study — an academic term.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Students and parents

Social background: Universal