Japanese Conversation · Level 24
90 words
Japanese word
半年
Pronunciation
Romajihantoshi
Meaning
- nounhalf a year
Example
私は半年日本語を勉強しました。watashi wa han toshi nihon go o ben kyō shi ma shi ta
I studied Japanese for half a year.
More examples
この仕事を始めてから、半年が過ぎました。ko no shi goto o haji me te ka ra han toshi ga su gi ma shi ta
Six months have passed since I started this job.
Core concept
It marks a period that lasts for six months, viewed as part of a year or measured from a starting point.
Common phrases
半年ぶりにhan toshi bu ri ni
for the first time in half a year
半年後han toshi ato
six months later
半年前han toshi mae
six months ago
半年間han toshi kan
for half a year
半年でhan toshi de
in half a year
Similar words
半年間hantoshikan: A continuous period of six months.
Definition in Japanese
一年の半分に当たる期間。ichi nen no han bun ni a ta ru ki kan
Word origin
The mixed compound 半年 (hantoshi) combines 半 (han, "half"), from Sino-Japanese vocabulary, with 年 (toshi, "year"), a native Japanese word.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 半年 (hantoshi) can describe both time already spent and time expected to pass, while context shows which period is meant.