half-term

[/ˌhɑːfˈtɜːrm/]
nounpl: half-terms
recesso escolar intermediário
1. A school holiday that occurs in the middle of a term, typically lasting one week
The children have half-term next week, so we're planning a family trip.
As crianças têm recesso escolar intermediário na próxima semana, então estamos planejando uma viagem em família.
2. The midpoint of an academic term
Half-term is usually in February or October in British schools.
O recesso intermediário geralmente ocorre em fevereiro ou outubro nas escolas britânicas.
Half-term is a distinctly British educational tradition, referring to scheduled breaks in the middle of school terms. In Brazil, the educational calendar differs significantly with longer recesses (férias), but the concept of mid-term breaks is understood as 'recesso escolar intermediário' or 'férias do meio do semestre'. The United States typically uses different terminology like 'mid-term break' or structures their year with different holiday patterns (spring break, winter break). This term is primarily used in UK, Commonwealth countries, and increasingly recognized in international schools worldwide.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
mid-term breakschool holidayhalf-term holidaymid-term holiday
Antonyms / Antônimos
full termschool day

Regional Variations

General British English
half-term
Standard usage in UK schools; most common term
General Brazilian Portuguese
recesso escolar intermediário
Literal translation; also 'férias do meio do semestre'
Portugal
interrupção letiva
Portuguese schools use different holiday structure
United States
mid-term break
American schools less commonly use 'half-term'; prefer 'mid-term break' or 'spring break'

Related Words

termschool holidayvacationsemesteracademic calendarEaster holiday

Related Idioms & Phrases

break up for half-term
during half-term
half-term activities
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