Spanish word

semestre

Pronunciation

IPA/seˈmestɾe/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsix months

Example

Trabajó en esa empresa un semestre.

He worked at that company for six months.

Illustration for semestre (six months)

More examples

Planifiqué las vacaciones para todo el semestre.

I planned the vacations for the whole semester.

Core concept

Six-month period used for a calendar half-year or an academic term.

Common phrases

  • todo el semestre

    the whole semester

  • planificar el semestre

    plan the semester

  • finalizar el semestre

    complete the semester

Similar words

año: Twelve-month period forming a full calendar year or annual cycle.
mes: One-month period corresponding to a calendar month or roughly thirty days.
trimestre: Three-month period used as a quarter of a year or a short academic/business term.
periodo: Interval of time defined for a particular purpose, phase, or event.

Definition in Spanish

Período de seis meses que indica la mitad del año y se emplea para hablar de duración o de un ciclo académico.

Word origin

It comes from medieval Latin semestris, from Latin sex 'six' and mensis 'month', and therefore denotes a six-month period.

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation speakers often prefer seis meses or medio año for a lived six-month span, while semestre is common in formal or academic contexts.

Other meanings

  • semesternoun

Opposites

Related words

  • semestralhalf-yearlyadjective
  • semestralmenteevery six monthsadverb

Word lists with this word