後期（こうき、kouki）
- last semester

The Japanese word 後期 (こうき) primarily translates to "the latter period," "the second half," or "late term/stage" of something. It often refers to a later or final part in a sequence, time frame, or process. It suggests a phase that comes after an earlier phase. 後期 can be applied to various contexts, including academic terms, historical periods, seasons, and stages of development.

⚫︎ 後期試験 Translation: The final exam / the late-term exam ⚫︎ 後期高齢者 Translation: Elderly people in their later years (usually those over 75 years old) ⚫︎ 後期授業料 Translation: The tuition for the second semester

⚫︎You'd use 後期 when referring to the second part of something that is divided into two parts or a later period in a process. ⚫︎It is common in academic settings to refer to the second semester or term of the year, for example. ⚫︎It is used in historical contexts to denote the latter part of a specific era or dynasty. ⚫︎When discussing life stages, it can also refer to the "late stage" of life.

⚫︎ 後期 is typically written in kanji as 後期. ⚫︎The reading is こうき in hiragana. ⚫︎There are no variations in okurigana.

⚫︎ 後半 (こうはん) - the second half ⚫︎ 末期 (まっき) - the final stage (can have a strong connotation of finality) ⚫︎ 晩年 (ばんねん) - later years (of a person's life) ⚫︎ 終盤 (しゅうばん) - the final stage (usually in games or sports)

⚫︎ 前期 (ぜんき) - the first half, the early period ⚫︎ 初期 (しょき) - the initial stage, the early stage

大学の後期の授業は、来週から始まります。 ・Translation: The classes for the second semester of university will start next week. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 後期 to refer to the second semester, starting after the summer break.

この映画は後期の日本の歴史を描いています。 ・Translation: This movie depicts the history of Japan in the latter period. ・Explanation: This example refers to the "latter period" of Japanese history, implying that the movie covers the events of the latter part of the era.

The word 後期 is composed of two kanji: 後(こう) meaning "later," "behind," or "after" and 期(き) meaning "period," "term," or "time." The combination of the two characters creates the meaning of "the latter period" or "late term".