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                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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                                  FORM 8-K

                               CURRENT REPORT

                   PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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DATE OF REPORT:   FEBRUARY 4, 2000
DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED:    FEBRUARY 3, 2000


                        GENERAL SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


       DELAWARE                      1-15442                    13-3575653
    (State or other          (Commission File Number)        (I.R.S. Employer
    jurisdiction of                                           Identification
   incorporation or                                               Number)
     organization)

                           10 MELVILLE PARK ROAD
                          MELVILLE, NEW YORK 11747

                  (Address of principal executive offices)



REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:  (631) 847-3000





Item 5.   Other Events.
          ------------

     On February 3, 2000, the registrant  issued the press release filed as
Exhibit 99.1 hereto.


Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
          ---------------------------------


               Exhibit       Description
               -------       -----------

                99.1         Press Release issued February 3, 2000





                                 SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused this report to be signed on behalf of the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



     Dated: February 4, 2000


                                   GENERAL SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.


                                   By:  /s/ Stephen B. Paige
                                       ------------------------------------
                                       Stephen B. Paige
                                       Senior Vice President,
                                       Secretary and General Counsel





                                EXHIBIT INDEX



               Exhibit       Description
               -------       -----------

                99.1         Press Release issued February 3, 2000