semi-final

/ˌsemaɪ ˈfaɪnl/

B2noun

One of the two matches or games played to decide who will compete in the final of a competition.

Tiếng Việt

trận bán kết

SE-mi FAI-nồ

Nhấn mạnh âm tiết đầu tiên 'SE' và âm 'FAI', âm cuối đọc nhẹ như 'nồ'.

Một trong hai trận đấu được tổ chức để quyết định ai sẽ thi đấu trong trận chung kết của một cuộc thi.

Meanings

1 meaning

1One of the two games or parts of a sports competition that are held to decide who will compete in the last part (the final).general
Một trong hai trận đấu hoặc phần thi của một giải đấu thể thao được tổ chức để quyết định ai sẽ thi đấu ở phần cuối cùng (trận chung kết).
“He's through to the semi-final of the men's singles.”
“Anh ấy đã lọt vào trận bán kết của nội dung đơn nam.”
- France was eliminated in Saturday’s semifinal.
- The team reached the semi-final of the World Cup after a thrilling victory.
Trong tiếng Việt, 'semi-final' thường được dịch là 'trận bán kết' (đối với thể thao) hoặc 'vòng bán kết' (đối với các cuộc thi nói chung). Lưu ý sử dụng mạo từ 'the' trước 'semi-final' khi nói về một trận đấu cụ thể.

Word bank

Synonyms

semis

Near synonyms

Common phrases

semi-final match
semi-final showdown
semi-final stage
reach the semi-final
win the semi-final

Grammar & forms

Grammar

countable

Inflections

plural: semi-finals

Word family

semi-finalistnoun

Usage patterns

reach the semi-final
play in a semi-final
win a semi-final

Avoid mistakes

Common mistakes

He won the semi-finals.
He won the semi-final.
Use the singular form when referring to a single match.
She is playing in semi-final.
She is playing in the semi-final.
The countable noun 'semi-final' requires an article like 'the' or 'a'.
They reached to the semi-final.
They reached the semi-final.
The verb 'reach' does not take the preposition 'to'.
The semi-final are tomorrow.
The semi-finals are tomorrow.
Use the plural form 'semi-finals' with a plural verb when referring to both matches.
He lost at the semi-final.
He lost in the semi-final.
Use the preposition 'in' when talking about being defeated during the match.

Don't confuse with

final
the last match in a competition that decides the overall winner
“They won the semi-final and will play in the final tomorrow.”
The semi-final is the match BEFORE the final.
quarter-final
one of the four matches played to decide who enters the semi-finals
“She was knocked out in the quarter-final.”
Quarter-finals come before semi-finals.

Academic collocations

Words that pair with "semi-final" in formal and academic writing

verb: reachwinlosehost
adjective: thrillingtensecrucialdramatic
noun: matchstagevictorydefeat
preposition: inofat

In context

Real-world examples

daily life
We are gathering at the coffee shop to watch the semi-final tonight.
Chúng tôi sẽ tụ tập ở quán cà phê để xem trận bán kết tối nay.
Watching football matches at coffee shops is a very popular social activity in Vietnam.
business
Our startup has successfully reached the semi-final of the national innovation contest.
Công ty khởi nghiệp của chúng tôi đã lọt vào vòng bán kết của cuộc thi đổi mới sáng tạo quốc gia thành công.
Startup competitions are increasingly common in Vietnam's growing tech ecosystem.
academic
The university debate team is preparing for the semi-final round this weekend.
Đội tranh biện của trường đại học đang chuẩn bị cho vòng bán kết vào cuối tuần này.
Debate competitions are highly regarded in Vietnamese universities for developing critical thinking.
sports
The whole country celebrated when the national football team won the semi-final.
Cả nước đã ăn mừng khi đội tuyển bóng đá quốc gia giành chiến thắng trong trận bán kết.
Football is the most popular sport in Vietnam, and national team victories often lead to massive street celebrations ('đi bão').

Notes for Vietnamese speakers

In Vietnam, football (soccer) is the king of sports. When the national team reaches a 'bán kết' (semi-final) in major regional tournaments like the AFF Cup or SEA Games, it becomes a major national event.
The term 'bán kết' is a Sino-Vietnamese word where 'bán' means half and 'kết' means end/conclusion, literally translating to 'half-final'.

Etymology

Formed from the prefix 'semi-' (meaning half) and 'final'. First recorded in the late 19th century, primarily used in the context of sports tournaments to denote the round before the final match.

Exam levels

IELTS

6.0

CEFR

TOEIC

705-800