週に二回
shū ni nikai
The English phrase "twice a week" is expressed in Japanese as 週に二回 (shū ni nikai).
This phrase describes an event that happens two times during a period of seven days.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 週 (week), に (per/in) and 二回 (two times).
Which one should you use?
Using 週に二度 (using 二度 instead of 二回) is a more literary or formal way to express 'twice'.
How do you pronounce it?
shū ni nikai
Did you know?
- If you describe something as happening 二度と (nido to), it almost always transforms into a negative phrase meaning 'never again'. Even though it contains the word for 'twice', it is used to swear that an event will not happen a second time.
- The kanji for week, 週 (shū), was specifically adopted to match the Western seven-day week. Traditional Japanese timekeeping historically relied on lunar cycles and seasonal divisions instead of a fixed seven-day unit.
- While 回 (kai) counts occurrences, the alternative 度 (do) can also mean 'degree' or 'temperature'. This creates a linguistic link between 'the number of times' something happens and the 'intensity' of an experience.
Examples in context
- 週に二回、ジムに通っています。shuu ni nikai, jimu ni kayotte imasu.I go to the gym twice a week.
- 週に二回、日本語を勉強します。shuu ni nikai, nihongo o benkyou shimasu.I study Japanese twice a week.
- 週に二回、映画を見ます。shuu ni nikai, eiga o mimasu.I watch movies twice a week.
Example conversation
Himari and Hinata are talking about their exercise routines.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くんは、週に何回運動するの？Hinata-kun wa, shuu ni nankai undou suru no?Hinata, how many times a week do you exercise?
- 陽太 Yota週に二回、公園で走っているよ。Shuu ni nikai, kouen de hashitte iru yo.I run in the park twice a week.
- 陽葵 Himariすごいね、健康にいいよ。Sugoi ne, kenkou ni ii yo.That's great, it's good for your health.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さんも、一緒にどう？Himari-san mo, issho ni dou?Himari, do you want to join me?
