Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, connecting with Japanese friends, or simply expanding your language skills, it’s always helpful to know how to say “weekend” in Japanese. In this guide, you’ll learn both formal and informal ways to express the concept of a weekend, along with some useful tips and examples. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Weekend”
If you want to use formal Japanese to express the idea of a weekend, you have a couple of options:
- 週末 (Shuumatsu): This is the most common and standard way to say “weekend” in Japanese. It is widely used in formal and polite settings, such as business or official conversations. For example:
週末には友達と映画を見に行きます。
(Shuumatsu ni wa tomodachi to eiga o mi ni ikimasu.)
Translation: I will go watch a movie with friends on the weekend.
週末日 (Shuumatsu bi): This is another formal expression for “weekend” in Japanese, which literally means “weekend day.” It is not as commonly used as “週末 (Shuumatsu)” but is still valid. An example sentence could be:
今週の週末日は天気がいいですね。
(Konshuu no shuumatsu bi wa tenki ga ii desu ne.)
Translation: The weather will be nice this weekend, won’t it?
Informal Ways to Say “Weekend”
When speaking in a casual or informal context, you can use the following expressions:
- 休み (Yasumi): This word is commonly used to mean “day off” or “holiday” but can also be used to refer to the weekend. It is an informal way to say “weekend” and is commonly used among friends or when speaking casually. For example:
今週末は何をしますか？休みだから一緒に遊びましょう。
(Konshuumatsu wa nani o shimasu ka? Yasumi dakara issho ni asobimashou.)
Translation: What will you do this weekend? Let’s hang out since it’s a day off.
週末 (Shuumatsu): In a casual context, you can also use the same word as in formal Japanese, “週末 (Shuumatsu).” It’s worth mentioning that “週末 (Shuumatsu)” is a versatile term and can be used both formally and informally. Here’s an example:
来週の週末には海に行く予定がある。
(Raishuu no shuumatsu ni wa umi ni iku yotei ga aru.)
Translation: I have plans to go to the beach next weekend.
Additional Tips and Regional Variations
While the expressions discussed above are the most common ways to say “weekend” in Japanese, there are a few regional variations worth mentioning:
- 大安 (Taian): In some regions of Japan, particularly in relation to traditional fortune-telling based on the “Rokuyo” calendar, “大安 (Taian)” may be used to mean “weekend.” Though not widely known or used by everyone, you might come across it in certain areas.
- So-called “Wasei Eigo”: In humorous or slang contexts, some Japanese people might use borrowed English words like “ウィークエンド (Weekend)” or “休み (Holiday)” to refer to the weekend. While these terms stem from English, they have been adapted to fit Japanese speech patterns.
Remember, it’s important to be respectful and consider the level of formality required based on the situation or the person you are speaking to. When in doubt, it’s generally safe to use the more widely known expressions mentioned earlier.
To sum up, remember that “週末 (Shuumatsu)” and “休み (Yasumi)” are widely used to indicate “weekend” in Japanese. The former is suitable for formal situations, while the latter is more casual. Pay attention to the context and level of formality, and be aware of any regional variations or slang terms you might come across.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to say “weekend” in Japanese, go ahead and practice using these expressions to enrich your conversations and interactions with Japanese speakers. Enjoy your language learning journey and have a great weekend!
