Greetings! If you’re looking to learn how to say “last weekend” in Japanese, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to express this concept, along with some important tips and examples. So let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Expressions
In formal situations, it’s crucial to use polite language and appropriate expressions. Here are some formal ways to say “last weekend” in Japanese:
1. 先週末 (senshuu matsu)
2. 先の週末 (saki no shuumatsu)
3. 先の週の終わり (saki no shuu no owari)
For example, you could say:
1. 私は先週末、友達と映画に行きました。(Watashi wa senshuu matsu, tomodachi to eiga ni ikimashita.)
Translation: Last weekend, I went to the movies with my friends.
2. 先の週末には仕事で忙しかったです。(Saki no shuumatsu ni wa shigoto de isogashikatta desu.)
Translation: I was busy with work last weekend.
2. Informal Expressions
In casual conversations among friends or peers, you can use less formal expressions to convey the same meaning. Here are some commonly used informal expressions to say “last weekend” in Japanese:
1. 先週の週末 (senshuu no shuumatsu)
2. 前の週末 (mae no shuumatsu)
Let’s see these expressions in action:
1. 先週の週末は何をしてた？(Senshuu no shuumatsu wa nani o shiteta?)
Translation: What did you do last weekend?
2. 前の週末は友達と遊んだよ。(Mae no shuumatsu wa tomodachi to asonda yo.)
Translation: I hung out with my friends last weekend.
3. Additional Tips and Variations
While the expressions mentioned above are widely used, it’s important to note some additional tips and regional variations:
- 1. Including Specific Dates: To specify the exact dates of the previous weekend, you can add “土日” (donichi), which means “Saturday and Sunday,” after the expressions we discussed earlier. For example: “先週末の土日” (senshuu matsu no donichi).
- 2. Dialectal Variations: Various Japanese dialects have their own unique expressions. For example, in the Kansai region, “先週末” (senshuu matsu) can be replaced with “前の週の休み” (mae no shuu no yasumi). However, in standard Japanese, the most common expressions provided earlier should suffice.
- 3. Casual Slang: In very informal conversations, some people might use slang or abbreviations. For instance, instead of saying “先週の週末” (senshuu no shuumatsu), people may shorten it to “せんしゅ” (senshu).
Remember to adapt your choice of expression based on the formality and context of your conversation. And now, let’s see a few more examples:
1. みんなと先週の週末にキャンプに行ったよ！(Minna to senshuu no shuumatsu ni kyanpu ni itta yo!)
Translation: I went camping with everyone last weekend!
2. 彼と前の週末にデートしたんだけど、とても楽しかった！(Kare to mae no shuumatsu ni deeto shita ndakedo, totemo tanoshikatta!)
Translation: I went on a date with him last weekend, and it was so much fun!
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to say “last weekend” in Japanese. We covered both formal and informal expressions, along with some extra tips and examples. Remember to choose the appropriate expression based on the context and whom you’re speaking to. Happy conversing in Japanese, and enjoy reminiscing about your previous weekends!
