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.
Sales in the first half of the year were strong.
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.
The first half of the year was busy.
Explicitly states 'from January to June'. Useful when you need to be precise about the months.
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.
A new project will start early in 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).
The first semester classes end next week.
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.
First semester exams are in July.
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 have a business trip right at the beginning of the year.
I would like to extend New Year's greetings.
The first half of the university year is from April to September.