Translation guide
Expresses the latter part of a calendar or fiscal year, typically from July or October onward.
Referring to the period from July to December in a calendar year, or the latter six months of any year.
Standard term for the second half of a fiscal or calendar year. Commonly used in business and general contexts.
Sales in the second half of the year were strong.
Means 'latter half' and can be used with '年' (year) as '年の後半'. More flexible, but slightly less specific than 下半期.
A big project starts in the second half of the year.
Alternate reading of 下半期, less common but still used in some contexts.
Make a plan for the second half of the year.
Specifically referring to the latter six months of the Japanese fiscal year, which typically runs from April to March.
Common business term for the second half of the fiscal year (October to March). Often used in corporate settings.
They announced the earnings forecast for the second half of the fiscal year.
Also used for fiscal second half, but can be ambiguous without context. Often clarified with 年度 (fiscal year).
Referring loosely to the later months of the year, not necessarily a precise half.
下半期 (しもはんき) is the general term for the second half of any year, while 下期 (しもき) is specifically the second half of a fiscal year. In business contexts, 下期 is more precise for the October–March period.
Do not translate 'second half of the year' word-for-word as 年の第二の半分. This is unnatural. Use the set phrases above.
The second half of the fiscal year starts in October.
Time always flies in the second half of the year.