What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "a good weekend" followed by a particle that implies an omitted verb like "spend" or "have".
Which one should you use?
While 良い週末を is a common short version, you may also encounter 週末をお楽しみください, which specifically means "Please enjoy the weekend."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The short form 良い週末を is suitable for friends or colleagues you are on casual terms with, but may feel slightly abrupt in very formal business settings. For a more polite and honorific approach when speaking to superiors or clients, use 良い週末をお過ごしください. For an even more informal way to say "Enjoy the weekend!" to friends, you can use 週末楽しんでね.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 良い週末を is a shortened, conversational version of the more complete sentence 良い週末を過ごしてください.
How do you pronounce it?
yoi shūmatsu o
Did you know?
- While 良い週末を is common now, this specific phrase is a modern 'loan translation' influenced by the English 'have a nice weekend'. Traditionally, Japanese people did not have a set phrase for wishing someone a good weekend.
- In Japanese business culture, instead of wishing someone a 'nice weekend', colleagues often say お疲れ様です ('Thank you for your hard work') to signal the end of the week.
- The word 週末 ('weekend') is a compound of 週 meaning 'week' and 末 meaning 'end' or 'tip'. The character 末 is a pictograph of a tree branch tip.
Examples in context
- 良い週末を。Have a nice weekend!This sentence shows how to use 良い週末を to wish someone a nice weekend.Tatoeba #77873 by mookeee, translation #325845 by CK
- 週末を楽しんでね！Enjoy the weekend!
- 皆さん、良い週末を！minasan, yoi shuumatsu o!Have a nice weekend, everyone!
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are leaving the office on a Friday afternoon.
- 健太 Kentaお疲れ様でした。良い週末を、陽葵さん。otsukaresama deshita. yoi shuumatsu o, himari-san.Good job today. Have a nice weekend, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます、健太さん。良い週末を！arigatou gozaimasu, kenta-san. yoi shuumatsu o!Thank you, Kenta. Have a nice weekend!
- 健太 Kentaはい、また来週。hai, mata raishuu.Yes, see you next week.
- 陽葵 Himariまた来週。mata raishuu.See you next week.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
