(がっき)

がっき
noun
semester, term
1. semester, school term
A division of the academic year.
The new semester has started.
My grades for the first term were good.
There are exams at the end of the term.
I'm thinking of starting a club activity from the second term.
Every time the term changes, we receive new textbooks from the teacher.

学期(がっき) means semester or school term.

WORD FORMATION:
(がく) (study) + () (period).

JAPANESE SCHOOL SYSTEM:

Most Japanese schools use a three-term system:

  • 1学期(がっき) (一学期(いちがっき)): April–July
  • 2学期(がっき) (二学期(にがっき)): September–December
  • 3学期(がっき) (三学期(さんがっき)): January–March

Some universities use a two-semester system:

  • 前期(ぜんき): first semester (spring)
  • 後期(こうき): second semester (fall)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 学期(がっき)(はじ)まり: start of the term
  • 学期(がっき)()わり: end of the term
  • 学期末(がっきまつ): end of term
  • 学期末(がっきまつ)試験(しけん): end-of-term exams

CULTURAL NOTE: The Japanese school year starts in April, coinciding with the cherry blossom season.