1.
new school year; new academic year
The beginning of a new academic year at a school. In Japan, the school year starts in April.
新学年が始まった。
The new school year has started.
新学年に向けて教科書を準備する。
I'm preparing textbooks for the new school year.
四月の新学年から新しいクラスになって、友達も変わった。
Starting from the new school year in April, I was put in a new class, and my friends changed too.
In Japan, the academic year (学年) starts in April and ends in March, unlike many Western countries where it begins in September. The start of the 新学年 coincides with cherry blossom season and is a significant cultural milestone.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 新学年が始まる: the new school year begins
- 新学年に向けて: in preparation for the new school year
- 新学年の準備: preparations for the new school year
RELATED TERMS:
- 新学期: new school term — refers to the start of a new term/semester within the year
- 入学式: school entrance ceremony — held at the beginning of the school year for new students
- 始業式: opening ceremony — marks the start of a new term for returning students