In 15 Seconds
- Means hanging out or doing fun activities every week.
- Used for friends, hobbies, and regular social routines.
- Casual but can be made polite by adding 'masu'.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of hanging out or having fun with someone on a weekly basis. It is the go-to way to talk about your regular social life and consistent hobbies.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a best friend
彼とは中学の時から毎週遊んでいるよ。
I've been hanging out with him every week since middle school.
Discussing a hobby
毎週遊ぶ仲間がいるから、テニスが楽しいです。
Tennis is fun because I have friends I play with every week.
A formal introduction
休日は地元の友人と毎週遊びます。
On my days off, I hang out with my local friends every week.
Cultural Background
The Japanese concept of 'asobu' is much broader than the English 'play,' encompassing almost any leisure activity for adults. Weekly social commitments, or 'circles,' are a vital part of Japanese social fabric, providing a necessary 'third place' outside of home and the intense work environment. While 'asobu' is casual, it represents the deep value placed on consistent social bonds.
The 'Asobu' Secret
In Japanese, 'asobu' can mean just sitting in a room together looking at phones. It's about the presence, not the activity!
Instrument Error
Never use 'asobu' for playing piano or guitar. Use 'hiku' (弾く) instead, or you'll sound like you're treating the guitar like a toy.
In 15 Seconds
- Means hanging out or doing fun activities every week.
- Used for friends, hobbies, and regular social routines.
- Casual but can be made polite by adding 'masu'.
What It Means
毎週遊ぶ is all about consistency in your social life. In English, we might say "we hang out every week" or "we meet up weekly." In Japanese, the word 遊ぶ (asobu) covers a lot of ground. It is not just for children playing with toys. It includes grabbing coffee, going to karaoke, or just walking around. When you add 毎週 (maishū), you are describing a solid routine. It implies a close relationship or a dedicated hobby.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase to describe your current habits. Use the dictionary form 毎週遊ぶ when talking to close friends. If you are talking to a teacher or boss, use 毎週遊びます. You can also add a particle like と (to) to specify who you are with. For example, 友だちと毎週遊ぶ means "I hang out with my friend every week." It is a very versatile building block for your Japanese conversations. Just drop it into a sentence and you sound like a social butterfly.
When To Use It
Use this when you are catching up with someone. It is a great way to talk about your best friend. If someone asks what you do on weekends, this is your answer. It works perfectly for gaming groups or sports clubs too. You might use it while texting a group chat to suggest a new routine. It feels warm and active. It shows you have a life outside of work or study.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use 遊ぶ for romantic dates if you want to sound serious. It might sound a bit too casual or non-committal. Also, do not use it for playing musical instruments. For that, you need words like 弾く (hiku). If you are at a formal business meeting, avoid this phrase. It sounds a bit too "childlike" for a professional setting. You would use 会う (au - to meet) instead. Unless you are literally testing video games for a living, keep it out of the boardroom.
Cultural Background
In Japan, maintaining group harmony is huge. Having a group you 毎週遊ぶ with shows you are well-integrated. Many Japanese adults have "circles" or clubs for hobbies. These groups often meet weekly for years. It is a way to escape the high-pressure work culture. Interestingly, 遊ぶ can also mean "doing nothing in particular." Just being in the same space as friends counts as 遊ぶ. It is about the shared time, not necessarily the activity.
Common Variations
You will often hear 毎週遊んでいる (maishū asonde iru). This means "I am currently in the habit of hanging out every week." If you want to invite someone, say 毎週遊ぼう！ (maishū asobō!). That means "Let's hang out every week!" If you used to do it but stopped, use the past tense: 毎週遊んでいた. Each variation keeps the core meaning but changes the timing. It is like a Swiss Army knife for your social calendar.
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral to informal. Use 'asobimasu' for people you aren't close with. Avoid using it for professional tasks or serious romantic contexts.
The 'Asobu' Secret
In Japanese, 'asobu' can mean just sitting in a room together looking at phones. It's about the presence, not the activity!
Instrument Error
Never use 'asobu' for playing piano or guitar. Use 'hiku' (弾く) instead, or you'll sound like you're treating the guitar like a toy.
Adult Play
Don't be shy to use this as an adult. In Japan, saying you 'play' every week is a sign of a healthy, balanced life.
Examples
6彼とは中学の時から毎週遊んでいるよ。
I've been hanging out with him every week since middle school.
Uses the continuous form to show a long-term habit.
毎週遊ぶ仲間がいるから、テニスが楽しいです。
Tennis is fun because I have friends I play with every week.
A polite way to describe a sports hobby group.
休日は地元の友人と毎週遊びます。
On my days off, I hang out with my local friends every week.
Uses the polite 'masu' form for a formal setting.
これから毎週遊ぼうね！
Let's hang out every week from now on!
A very casual and enthusiastic invitation.
猫と毎週遊ぶのが、僕の唯一の癒やしだ。
Playing with my cat every week is my only source of healing.
Self-deprecating humor about one's social life.
昔は毎週遊んでいたのに、最近は会えていないね。
We used to hang out every week, but we haven't met lately.
Expresses a bit of nostalgia or sadness.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to say 'I hang out with my younger brother every week.'
弟と ___ 遊ぶ。
毎週 (maishū) means every week. 毎日 is every day and 毎月 is every month.
Choose the correct polite ending for a conversation with your boss.
週末は家族と毎週 ___。
遊びます (asobimasu) is the polite form of 遊ぶ (asobu).
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels of 'Asobu'
Slangy or very rough.
毎週遊ぶぜ
Talking to friends or siblings.
毎週遊ぶ
Standard polite Japanese for acquaintances.
毎週遊びます
Business or very respectful contexts.
毎週お会いします (Using 'meet' instead)
Where to use '毎週遊ぶ'
Video Gaming
Online with friends
Cafe Hopping
Chatting over coffee
Sports Club
Weekly tennis match
Family Time
Playing with kids
Practice Bank
2 exercises弟と ___ 遊ぶ。
毎週 (maishū) means every week. 毎日 is every day and 毎月 is every month.
週末は家族と毎週 ___。
遊びます (asobimasu) is the polite form of 遊ぶ (asobu).
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou can, but it sounds very casual. If you say 毎週遊ぶ about someone you're dating, it might sound like you're just 'seeing' them rather than being in a serious relationship.
Not at all! Adults use it all the time to mean 'hanging out' or 'going out for fun.' It's perfectly natural for a 40-year-old to use it.
You would say 毎週遊びたい (maishū asobitai). It's a great way to show someone you really enjoy their company.
遊ぶ (asobu) implies having fun or leisure. 会う (au) just means 'to meet' and is more neutral or professional.
Yes! If you play soccer or basketball every week, 毎週遊ぶ works, though 毎週スポーツをする is more specific.
It's the most common. You might also hear 週に一度 (shū ni ichido), which means 'once a week.'
In a professional context, yes. In a social context, no. It sounds friendly and energetic.
Use the negative form: 毎週は遊びません (maishū wa asobimasen). Adding 'wa' emphasizes that it's not *every* week.
Absolutely. 毎週オンラインで遊ぶ is a very common way to describe a weekly gaming session.
Then you'd say 週に二回遊ぶ (shū ni nikai asobu). 毎週 just covers the general 'every week' frequency.
