週に一回
shū ni ikkai
The English phrase "once a week" is translated into Japanese as 週に一回 (shū ni ikkai).
週に一回 is used to describe an event or occurrence that happens one time every seven days.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 週 (week), に (per/in) and 一回 (one time).
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter 週に一度. The latter uses a different counter for "time" to express the same frequency.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you add the particle は after the frequency phrase, as in 週に一回は, it can be used to emphasize the frequency or to imply the meaning "at least once a week".
How do you pronounce it?
shū ni ikkai
Did you know?
- In Japanese gym or fitness culture, the shorthand 週一 (shū-ichi) is often used as a self-deprecating label for someone who lacks motivation or rarely trains.
- The word 週 (week) is actually a relatively recent addition to the Japanese language, as the country used lunar cycles before adopting the seven-day week in the late 19th century.
- While 回 (kai) counts occurrences, the counter 度 (do) used in 週に一度 is also used to measure temperature in 度 (degrees).
Examples in context
- クラスの全員が週に一回出席します。The whole class is present once a week.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe the attendance frequency of a class using 週に一回.Tatoeba #171793 by human600, translation #242682 by human600
- Kafē ni wa isshūkan ni ichido iku. (カフェには一週間に一度行く。)I go to a café once a week.
- Watashi wa isshūkan ni ichido yoga o shimasu. (私は一週間に一度ヨガをします。)I do yoga once a week.
- 週に一回、ジムに通っています。Shū ni ikkai, jimu ni kayotte imasu.I go to the gym once a week.
- 週に一回、美容院へ行きます。Shū ni ikkai, bijōin e ikimasu.I go to the hair salon once a week.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about their hobbies.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは料理をしますか？Yota-san wa ryōri o shimasu ka?Do you cook, Yota?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、週に一回作っています。Hai, shū ni ikkai tsukutte imasu.Yes, I make it once a week.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。何を作りますか？Ii desu ne. Nani o tsukurimasu ka?That's nice. What do you make?
- 陽太 Yotaだいたいカレーを作ります。Daitai karē o tsukurimasu.I usually make curry.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
