เทอม
school term
Native recording
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- 1 school term、semester
- 2 term [counter for academic or fixed periods]
This is the everyday Thai word for a school term or semester. It can also informally refer to a fixed term in office.
school term、semester
A period of the academic year during which classes are held.
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เทอมนี้เรียนอะไรบ้าง thəəm níi rian aray bâaŋ What are you studying this semester? เทอมนี้เรียนอะไรบ้าง details
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เจอกันเทอมหน้า cəə kan thəəm nâa See you next semester. เจอกันเทอมหน้า details
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หนึ่งปีมีสองเทอม nʉ̀ŋ pii mii sɔ̌ɔŋ thəəm There are two semesters in a year. หนึ่งปีมีสองเทอม details
term [counter for academic or fixed periods]
Used after a number to count school terms or similar fixed periods.
Learning notes
Explanation
The word comes from English “term,” but in modern Thai it is primarily an ordinary word associated with school life. It is widely used from primary school through university. Common combinations include เทอมนี้ “this semester,” เทอมหน้า “next semester,” เทอมที่แล้ว “last semester,” ต้นเทอม “the beginning of the semester,” and ปลายเทอม “the end of the semester.” It also follows numbers directly when counting terms, as in หนึ่งเทอม “one semester” and สองเทอม “two semesters.”
Usage
It is common when discussing classes, grades, plans for the next semester, exams, and school vacations. Parents and schools also use it routinely. In political discussion, it may informally describe whether a government will complete its term in office.
Caution
เทอม does not cover every meaning of English “term.” Use ศัพท์ or คำศัพท์ for a technical term, and วาระ for a formal term in office. Also, ค่าเทอม is a fixed expression meaning “tuition” or “school fees,” not simply “school term.”