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March 24, 2026
学期(學期)xuéqī(xue2qi1)
学期 (xuéqī) refers to an academic term or semester in the context of education, typically used to denote a specific period during which classes are held. This term is commonly used in schools and universities to divide the academic year into manageable sections for both students and teachers.
Frequency#5104DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, the academic year is often divided into two main semesters, each lasting about six months, which is a structure that reflects the traditional emphasis on education as a pathway to success.
Memory Tip
Think of 学 (xué) as 'learning' and 期 (qī) as a 'period.' Visualize a student sitting at a desk with a calendar marked with different 学期, representing different learning periods. The 'xue' sounds like 'sway,' as in a student swaying in their chair during a long semester.
Meanings of 学期
xuéqī(xue2qi1)
1term
2semester
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About 学期
学期Simplified
學期Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5104Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 学期
Podcast: 学期
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AI Study Notes for 学期
Quick Contrast
学年 (xuénián) - use 学期 (xuéqī) when referring to a specific term within the academic year, whereas 学年 denotes the entire academic year.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 学 (xué) as 'learning' and 期 (qī) as a 'period.' Visualize a student sitting at a desk with a calendar marked with different 学期, representing different learning periods. The 'xue' sounds like 'sway,' as in a student swaying in their chair during a long semester.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 学期 is pronounced with the second tone for 学 and the first tone for 期. Common collocations include 学期末 (end of the term) and 学期中 (mid-term). It's generally used in formal educational contexts rather than casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 学期 connects with other educational vocabulary like 课程 (kèchéng - course) and 学生 (xuéshēng - student). Focus on using it in sentences about school schedules and academic planning.
Cultural Note
In China, the academic year is often divided into two main semesters, each lasting about six months, which is a structure that reflects the traditional emphasis on education as a pathway to success.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 学期 with 学年 (academic year). For example, saying '我在这个学年学习' (I study this semester) is incorrect; it should be '我在这个学期学习'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 学期
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Grammar Patterns of 学期
学期 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
She worked to pay the rent while I went to college.
5
我们将讨论下学期要教什么.
wǒ mén jiāng tǎo lùn xià xué qī yào jiào shí mó.
We will discuss what to teach during the next term.
6
你这学期教什么课？
nǐ zhè xué qī jiào shí mó kè？
What are you teaching this term?
7
下学期你想修什么课?
xià xué qī nǐ xiǎng xiū shí mó kè?
What coursed are you planning to take next term?
8
这学期他的历史和文学课有了很大的进步.
zhè xué qī tā de lì shǐ hé wén xué kè yǒu le hěn dà de jìn bù.
There's been a great improvement in his history and literature this term.
Cultural Notes for 学期
🏮Cultural insight
In China, the academic year is often divided into two main semesters, each lasting about six months, which is a structure that reflects the traditional emphasis on education as a pathway to success.
Frequently Asked Questions about 学期
You can say '这个学期我选了很多课程' (This semester, I chose many courses).
学期 refers to a term or semester, while 学年 means 'academic year', which encompasses all semesters in a year.
Yes, 学期 is applicable to all levels of education in China.
