Japanese word

後半

Pronunciation

Romajikōhan

Meaning

  • nounsecond half

Example

試合の後半が始まります。shi ai no kō han ga haji ma ri ma su

The second half of the game is starting.

Illustration for 後半 (second half)

More examples

試合の後半では、選手たちの動きが速くなります。shi ai no kō han de wa sen shu ta chi no ugo ki ga haya ku na ri ma su

In the second half of the game, the players move faster.

Core concept

Refers to the later part of something divided into two equal or roughly equal parts.

Common phrases

  • 授業の後半ju gyō no kō han

    the second half of the class

  • 後半が始まるkō han ga haji ma ru

    the second half begins

  • 後半に入るkō han ni hai ru

    move into the second half

Similar words

後期kōki: The latter period of a longer period or process.
後半戦kōhansen: The second half of a sports game or other contest.

Definition in Japanese

二つに分けた時間や出来事のうち、後に当たる部分。futa tsu ni wa ke ta ji kan ya de ki goto no u chi ato ni a ta ru bu bun

Word origin

The compound 後半 (kōhan) joins 後 (kō, "after") with 半 (han, "half"), so it means the half that follows the first.

Usage tips

  • A meeting or school term can also have a 後半 (kōhan), so the word is not limited to games.

Opposites

Word lists with this word