Translation guide
Refers to the initial six months of a calendar or fiscal year. Japanese commonly uses specific terms like 上半期 (calendar/fiscal) or 年明け (early part of the year).
The period from January to June, or the first six months of a fiscal year.
Standard term for the first half of a calendar or fiscal year. Used in business, reports, and general contexts.
上半期の売上は好調でした。
Sales in the first half of the year were strong.
上半期の目標を達成しました。
We achieved our first-half targets.
Literally 'the first half of the year'. More descriptive and slightly less formal than 上半期. Suitable for everyday conversation.
年の前半は忙しかった。
The first half of the year was busy.
Explicitly states 'from January to June'. Useful when you need to be precise about the months.
1月から6月までの支出をまとめました。
I summarized the expenses from January to June.
The period shortly after New Year, often implying the first few months.
Refers to the beginning of the year, right after New Year's. Often used for events or plans in January/February.
年明けに新しいプロジェクトが始まります。
A new project will start early in the year.
年明け早々、出張があります。
I have a business trip right at the beginning of the year.
Formal/written term for the beginning of the year. Common in business or official contexts.
The period from April to September in the Japanese academic calendar.
Commonly used for the first semester or first half of the academic year (April–September).
前期の授業は来週で終わります。
The first semester classes end next week.
前期の成績が発表されました。
The first semester grades have been posted.
Also used for academic/fiscal first half, but 前期 is more common in school contexts.
上半期 is the general term for the first half of a calendar or fiscal year (often Jan–Jun). 前期 is specifically the first half of an academic or business term, which in Japan often runs from April to September. Use 前期 for school contexts.
前期の試験は7月にあります。
First semester exams are in July.
上半期の決算は9月です。
The first-half financial settlement is in September.
The phrase 'first half of the year' is not directly translated as 年の最初の半分. Instead, use 上半期 or 年の前半 depending on context.
I would like to extend New Year's greetings.
大学の上半期は4月から9月です。
The first half of the university year is from April to September.