良い週末を
yoi shūmatsu o
The English phrase "have a good weekend" is translated into Japanese as 良い週末を (yoi shūmatsu o).
This phrase is typically used on Friday afternoon or before leaving work for the week. You can substitute 良い (yoi – good) with 楽しい (tanashii – fun) to say 'Have a fun weekend' by using 楽しい週末を.
Meaning: wish of a good weekend (phrase)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The short form 良い週末を is suitable for friends, family or close colleagues. Use the longer form 良い週末をお過ごしください when speaking to a superior or in a formal business setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ends with the particle を (o), which implies a verb like 'spend' or 'have' that is omitted for brevity.
How do you pronounce it?
yoi shūmatsu o
Did you know?
- The phrase 良い週末を is a relatively modern import into the Japanese language. In traditional Japanese culture, wishing someone a 'good' time in the future was less common than acknowledging the effort they had already put in.
- In a Japanese office, you might hear お疲れ様でした ('you are tired/worked hard') instead of a weekend wish. This phrase acknowledges the shared struggle of the work week and serves as the primary social glue during departures.
- If you are leaving the office on a Friday, you might say お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) instead of wishing your colleagues a good weekend, which focuses on your departure rather than their enjoyment.
Examples in context
- 週末をお楽しみください。私は友人と食事に行く予定です。Please enjoy your weekend. I plan to go out for a meal with friends.
- 週末を楽しんでね。映画（えいが）を見（み）に行くつもりだよ。一緒（いっしょ）に行かない？Enjoy your weekend. I'm planning to go watch a movie. Wanna join?
- 皆、良い週末を！Minna, yoi shuumatsu o!Have a good weekend, everyone!
- それでは、良い週末を。Sore de wa, yoi shuumatsu o.Well then, have a good weekend.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are leaving the office on a Friday afternoon.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さん、お疲れ様でした。Hiroto-san, otsukaresama deshita.Good job today, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんも、お疲れ様。Misaki-san mo, otsukaresama.You too, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki良い週末を！Yoi shuumatsu o!Have a good weekend!
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、また月曜日に。Arigatou, mata getsuyoubi ni.Thanks, see you on Monday.
