1.
semester, school term
A division of the academic year.
学期 means semester or school term.
WORD FORMATION:
学 (study) + 期 (period).
JAPANESE SCHOOL SYSTEM:
Most Japanese schools use a three-term system:
- 1学期 (一学期): April–July
- 2学期 (二学期): September–December
- 3学期 (三学期): January–March
Some universities use a two-semester system:
- 前期: first semester (spring)
- 後期: second semester (fall)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 学期の始まり: start of the term
- 学期の終わり: end of the term
- 学期末: end of term
- 学期末試験: end-of-term exams
CULTURAL NOTE: The Japanese school year starts in April, coinciding with the cherry blossom season.