Explore 期 through periods and expectations. Learn each reading with a complete word and its context.

The idea

期 has 12 strokes; follow the linked diagram. It is usually read き in 期間（きかん）, 期限（きげん） and 期待（きたい）. In 学期（がっき）, the preceding sound becomes a small っ.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample in context
期間きかんThe application period starts tomorrow.
期限きげんThe deadline for submitting the report is Friday.
学期がっきThe new term begins in April.
期待きたいI am looking forward to the trip.

Examples

  • 申込もうしこみ期間きかんは明日あしたから始はじまります。The application period starts tomorrow.
  • レポートの提出ていしゅつ期限きげんは金曜日きんようびです。The deadline for submitting the report is Friday.
  • 短期間たんきかん、日本にほんで勉強べんきょうしました。I studied in Japan for a short period.
  • この製品せいひんは長期間ちょうきかん保存ほぞんできます。This product can be stored for a long time.
  • 新あたらしい学期がっきは四月しがつに始はじまります。The new term begins in April.
  • 旅行りょこうに期待きたいしています。I am looking forward to the trip.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

期間 is a span of time; 期限 is the limit by which something must be done. 期待 means expectation, so 期 does not always name a time span.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 期間 in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    きかん

    期間 is きかん: it refers to a span, such as the application period.

  2. Write the reading of 期限 in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    きげん

    期限 is きげん: it names a deadline, such as Friday for the report.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 学＿（がっき）［期／間］.

    Show answer or example answer

    期

    期 completes 学期（がっき）, a school term; notice the small っ.

Use it today

Write 期 using the diagram. Cover the table, read 期間 and 期限, then make a sentence about a deadline.