semester
das Semester, die Semester
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semester
A half-year period of study at a university or college. The academic year is usually divided into a winter semester and a summer semester.
Im nächsten Semester muss ich meine Bachelorarbeit schreiben.
Next semester I have to write my bachelor's thesis.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Semester |
| genitive | des Semesters |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Semester | die Semester |
| accusative | das Semester | die Semester |
| dative | dem Semester | den Semestern |
| genitive | des Semesters | der Semester |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word 'Semester' (semester) comes from the Latin 'semestris,' meaning 'lasting six months' (se = six, mensis = month). So it literally refers to a period of six months, which corresponds exactly to half an academic year.
Ein akademisches Jahr besteht aus zwei Semestern.
An academic year consists of two semesters.
In an academic context, 'Semester' is often combined with 'Sommer-' (summer) or 'Winter-' (winter). People also say 'im ersten/zweiten/… Semester sein' (to be in one's first/second/... semester) or 'ein Auslandssemester machen' (to do a semester abroad).
Sie ist jetzt im dritten Semester ihres Medizinstudiums.
She is now in the third semester of her medical studies.
To describe a state, you use the preposition 'in' with the dative: 'im Semester' (in the semester). To describe the beginning or a movement, you use 'in' with the accusative: 'ins neue Semester starten' (to start the new semester).
Im laufenden Semester habe ich drei Prüfungen.
In the current semester, I have three exams.
half-year / semester
Both Semester and Halbjahr can refer to a period of an academic year. At a university, Semester is the usual term for the institution’s teaching period, while Halbjahr places more emphasis on the general time period or on one of the two parts of a year. Semester is usually the better choice for courses and lectures.
Im nächsten Semester besuche ich an der Universität drei neue Vorlesungen.
Next semester, I’m taking three new courses at the university.
Im zweiten Halbjahr des Studienjahres änderte sich mein Stundenplan.
My class schedule changed in the second half of the academic year.
