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.
下半期の売上は好調だった。
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.
年の後半に大きなプロジェクトが始まる。
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.
下半期の計画を立てる。
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.
下期の業績予想を発表した。
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.
Means 'toward the end of the year', often used for events or trends in the last few months.
年末にかけて忙しくなる。
It gets busy toward the end of the year.
General 'latter half of the year', can be used loosely for the later months.
年の後半はいつも時間が経つのが早い。
Time always flies in the second half of the year.
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.
年度の下半期は十月から始まります。
The second half of the fiscal year starts in October.