In 15 Seconds
- Means working on a regular weekly basis.
- Implies a consistent, recurring work schedule.
- Used for jobs, part-time roles, or regular tasks.
- Neutral formality, suitable for most conversations.
Meaning
This phrase, `毎週働く` (maishuu hataraku), means to work every week, usually referring to your regular job or a consistent schedule. It carries a vibe of routine and responsibility, like clocking in for your usual shifts. Think of it as the backbone of your weekly grind, the thing that keeps you busy and earning.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about your schedule
今週は忙しいけど、来週からまた毎週働くよ!
I'm busy this week, but starting next week, I'll be working every week again!
Explaining your job to a new acquaintance
私は図書館で司書として毎週働いています。
I work every week as a librarian at the library.
Job interview (describing current situation)
現在の職では、週5日、毎週働いております。
In my current position, I work 5 days a week, every week.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Service Overtime' ({サービス残業|さーびすざんぎょう}) means that even if someone says they work every week, they might be working many more hours than their contract states without extra pay. The 'hustle culture' in the US often glorifies working every week and even weekends to get ahead, which is a point of comparison with Japan's 'Salaryman' culture. Germany has strict labor laws. Working every week is expected, but working on Sundays is generally prohibited for most sectors to ensure rest. The 35-hour work week is a famous standard. Working every week is the norm, but the total hours are often lower than in Japan or the US.
Drop the 'ni'
Remember that {毎週|まいしゅう} is an adverb of relative time. You don't need 'ni' after it, just like you don't say 'on every week' in English.
Baito vs. Work
If you are a student, people might assume you mean a part-time job (baito) when you use this phrase.
In 15 Seconds
- Means working on a regular weekly basis.
- Implies a consistent, recurring work schedule.
- Used for jobs, part-time roles, or regular tasks.
- Neutral formality, suitable for most conversations.
What It Means
This phrase is all about consistency in your work life. It means you are engaged in employment or a task that happens on a weekly basis. It’s not about a one-off project; it’s about your regular, ongoing commitment. The feeling is one of routine, perhaps a bit of predictability, and definitely responsibility. It’s the stuff that fills your calendar week after week. It’s the hum of your professional life.
How To Use It
You use 毎週働く when you want to communicate that your work schedule is a weekly one. It’s a straightforward statement of fact. You can use it to describe your own situation or someone else’s. It’s versatile enough for casual chats or more formal explanations about employment. Just remember, it implies regularity. It’s like saying, ‘Yep, that’s my life, week in, week out.’
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you're chatting with a friend about your job. You might say, 'I 毎週働く at the cafe.' Or if someone asks about your summer plans, you could reply, 'I’ll 毎週働く at the local library.' It fits perfectly when describing part-time jobs, full-time roles, or even regular volunteer gigs. It’s the phrase for when your work is a constant in your week.
When To Use It
Use 毎週働く when you're talking about a job or task that repeats every single week. This applies to full-time employment, part-time roles, or even regular freelance gigs. If your schedule is consistent from Monday to Friday, or perhaps specific days each week, this phrase is your go-to. It’s great for explaining your general work situation to new acquaintances. You can also use it when discussing financial planning, as it implies a steady income stream.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use 毎週働く if you're talking about sporadic or project-based work. If you only work a few days a month, or only when a specific client calls, this phrase won't fit. It’s also not for describing temporary jobs or seasonal employment that doesn't occur weekly. Think of it this way: if your work schedule looks like a calendar with lots of empty squares, 毎週働く is probably not the phrase you need. It’s not for ‘whenever I feel like it’ jobs either.
Common Mistakes
One common slip-up is using it for work that isn't strictly weekly. For instance, saying you 毎週働く when you only work twice a month sounds a bit off. Another mistake is confusing it with working *throughout* the week, like 毎日働く (mainichi hataraku - work every day). You might also accidentally use it for one-time events. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole – it just doesn't quite work!
毎週働く
✓毎月働く (maigetsu hataraku - work every month) if you work monthly.
毎週働く
✓時々働く (tokidoki hataraku - work sometimes) if your work is infrequent.
Similar Expressions
There are other ways to talk about work! 仕事をする (shigoto o suru) is the general term for 'to work'. 勤める (tsutomeru) means to be employed at a company. 働く (hataraku) on its own simply means 'to work'. 毎週働く adds that specific weekly rhythm. It’s like the difference between saying ‘I eat’ (食べる - taberu) and ‘I eat breakfast every day’ (毎朝食べる - maiasa taberu). The latter is much more specific!
Common Variations
While 毎週働く is the most standard form, you might hear slight variations in casual speech. People might drop the 働く and just say 毎週 (maishuu) if the context of working is already clear. For example, if someone asks, 'When do you work?', you could just reply, '毎週'. However, for clarity, especially with non-native speakers, using the full phrase is best. It’s like adding the punctuation to make sure your sentence lands correctly.
Memory Trick
Imagine a Weekly Worker Weary of his Work. That’s 毎週働く! The repetition of 'W' sounds like the weekly cycle. Picture someone putting on their work uniform every Monday morning, looking a bit tired but determined. That weekly routine is the key. You could also picture a calendar with the same 働く symbol (maybe a little briefcase 💼) circled every single week.
Quick FAQ
Q. Does 毎週働く mean I work 7 days a week?
A. Not necessarily! It means your work happens on a weekly schedule, which could be 5 days, 3 days, or even just 1 day, as long as it repeats every week.
Q. Can I use this for freelance work?
A. Yes, if your freelance work follows a consistent weekly pattern, like having clients you meet every Tuesday. If it's totally unpredictable, maybe not.
Q. Is it formal or informal?
A. It's pretty neutral! You can use it in most situations without sounding too stiff or too casual. It’s a reliable workhorse phrase, much like a good pair of work boots.
Usage Notes
This phrase is very versatile and sits comfortably in neutral contexts. It clearly communicates a regular weekly work schedule without being overly formal or casual. Avoid using it for sporadic or project-based work, as it implies consistency. Ensure the context is about employment or labor, not just any activity.
Drop the 'ni'
Remember that {毎週|まいしゅう} is an adverb of relative time. You don't need 'ni' after it, just like you don't say 'on every week' in English.
Baito vs. Work
If you are a student, people might assume you mean a part-time job (baito) when you use this phrase.
Use with {週|しゅう}に
If you want to say 'I work 3 days a week', use '{週|しゅう}に3{日働|にちはたら}く'.
Examples
12今週は忙しいけど、来週からまた毎週働くよ!
I'm busy this week, but starting next week, I'll be working every week again!
Shows a return to a regular weekly work schedule after a break.
私は図書館で司書として毎週働いています。
I work every week as a librarian at the library.
Clearly states the profession and the weekly regularity of the job.
現在の職では、週5日、毎週働いております。
In my current position, I work 5 days a week, every week.
Uses a slightly more formal verb ending (`おります`) to suit the interview context.
Monday grind! ☕️ 毎週働くって大変だけど、やりがいもあるよね。 #ワーキングライフ
Monday grind! ☕️ Working every week is tough, but rewarding too. #WorkingLife
Relatable caption about the daily grind, emphasizing the weekly cycle.
大学に行きながら、カフェで毎週働いてお金を稼いでいます。
While going to university, I work every week at a cafe to earn money.
Connects the weekly work with the student's primary activity.
✗ 私はプロジェクトごとに、毎週働く → ✓ 私はプロジェクトごとに、時々働く
✗ I work every week per project → ✓ I work sometimes per project
Incorrectly applies the weekly phrase to sporadic project work.
✗ 毎日働く → ✓ 毎週働く (if the context is about a weekly schedule, not daily)
✗ Work every day → ✓ Work every week
Confuses daily frequency with weekly frequency.
地域の清掃活動に、毎週末、毎週参加しています。
I participate every weekend in local cleanup activities, working weekly.
Emphasizes the consistent, weekend-based nature of the volunteer work.
金曜の夜は、バーでDJとして毎週働いています。
On Friday nights, I work every week as a DJ at the bar.
Specifies the day and the role, highlighting the weekly routine.
父は会社員で、ずっと毎週働いています。
My father is a company employee and has been working every week for a long time.
Describes a long-term, consistent employment situation.
契約期間中、業務委託者は指定された曜日において毎週働くものとする。
During the contract period, the contractor shall work every week on the specified days.
Formal language used in a contract to define work frequency.
趣味で始めたハンドメイドアクセサリー販売だけど、今では毎週働いている感覚だよ。
I started selling handmade accessories as a hobby, but now it feels like I'm working every week.
Expresses how a hobby has become a regular, work-like activity.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'every week'.
{私|わたし}は( ){働|はたら}きます。
{毎週|まいしゅう} means 'every week'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct sentence:
Temporal adverbs like {毎週|まいしゅう} do not need a particle.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {週末|しゅうまつ}は{暇|ひま}ですか? B: いいえ、( )から、{忙|いそが}しいです。
The context implies B is busy because they are working.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises{私|わたし}は( ){働|はたら}きます。
{毎週|まいしゅう} means 'every week'.
Select the correct sentence:
Temporal adverbs like {毎週|まいしゅう} do not need a particle.
A: {週末|しゅうまつ}は{暇|ひま}ですか? B: いいえ、( )から、{忙|いそが}しいです。
The context implies B is busy because they are working.
🎉 Score: /3
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, {働|はたら}く is specifically for labor/jobs. For the gym, use {運動|うんどう}する or {鍛|きた}える.
Yes, but use the polite form: {毎週働|まいしゅうはたら}いております.
{働|はたら}く is the verb (to work), while {仕事|しごと} is the noun (job/work).
Yes, it literally means 'every week' (all 7 days are possible).
Use {隔週|かくしゅう}で{働|はたら}く.
It is neutral. To be polite, conjugate the verb to {働|はたら}きます.
Usually no. For housework, use {家事|かじ}をする.
You can still say {毎週|まいしゅう}{働|はたら}く, or more specifically, {毎週在宅|まいしゅうざいたく}で{働|はたら}く.
Younger people might say '{毎週|まいしゅう}シフトに{入|はい}ってる' (I'm on the shift every week).
Not necessarily. It just implies consistency. It could be 1 hour or 40 hours.
Related Phrases
{毎日働|まいにちはたら}く
similarTo work every day
{共働|ともばたら}き
builds onDual income / both spouses working
{働|はたら}き{過|す}ぎ
specialized formOverworking
{週休二日制|しゅうきゅうふつかせい}
contrastTwo-day weekend system