This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #500 most common 10 min read

～週

-shu Top 500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ～週 in 30 Seconds

Explanation ～週 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic building blocks of the Japanese calendar. You will learn to recognize the kanji for week (週) and use it in three primary ways: 'this week' (今週 - konshuu), 'next week' (来週 - raishuu), and 'last week' (先週 - senshuu). At this stage, the focus is on simple identification and using these words to place basic actions in time. For example, 'I will go to the park next week.' You will also learn to count 'one week' as 'isshuukan.' The main challenge is remembering the phonetic change from 'ichi' to 'isshuu.' You don't need to worry about complex grammar; just treat these words as labels for time periods. You will use them to answer simple 'when' questions like 'Itsu ikimasu ka?' (When are you going?). Understanding that these words usually don't need the particle 'ni' is a key goal for A1 students.

At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'shuu' to include frequency and more specific planning. You will learn the pattern '[Duration] ni [Frequency],' such as 'isshuukan ni nankai' (how many times a week). This allows you to talk about your habits, like 'I study Japanese three times a week.' You will also learn 'saraishuu' (the week after next) and 'maishuu' (every week). A2 learners should start distinguishing between 'shuu' as a point in time and 'shuukan' as a duration. You will also encounter 'shuumatsu' (weekend) and learn how to use it in casual conversations about your plans. At this level, you are expected to correctly use these words in simple past and future sentences without mixing up the prefixes (sen, kon, rai). You might also start seeing 'shuu' in compound words like 'shuukan-shi' (weekly magazine) in your environment.

At the B1 level, you move into more professional and organizational uses of 'shuu.' You will learn about 'shuuake' (the start of the week) and 'shuuhou' (weekly reports), which are essential for business or school life. You will also learn the ordinal form 'nishuume' (the second week), which is used for tracking progress in a month or a project. B1 learners should be comfortable using 'shuu' in complex sentences, such as 'By the end of next week, I will finish the report.' You will also learn the term 'kakushuu' (every other week) to describe more complex schedules. At this level, you should understand the cultural rhythm of the Japanese week, including the 'shuuban' (weekly duty) system in schools. Your ability to use 'shuu' should feel natural, and you should be able to navigate misunderstandings regarding duration versus points in time with ease.

At the B2 level, you explore the nuances and formal alternatives to 'shuu.' You will compare 'shuu' with the traditional 'jun' (10-day period) system and understand when to use each in formal writing or news reports. You will encounter more advanced vocabulary like 'shuukyuu-futsukasei' (the five-day work week system) and discuss social issues related to work-life balance using these terms. B2 learners should be able to understand 'shuu' when used metaphorically or in idiomatic expressions. You will also handle more complex temporal logic, such as 'the third week of the second month of the quarter.' In listening, you should be able to catch 'shuu' even in fast-paced train announcements or rapid-fire business meetings. You will also learn to use 'shuu' in the context of 'one lap' or 'one cycle' (isshuu) in non-time contexts, such as sports or manufacturing processes.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 'shuu' includes its historical development and its role in Japanese literature and high-level discourse. You will understand how the seven-day week was integrated into the Japanese calendar during the Meiji era and how it displaced older systems. You will be able to read and write formal documents that use 'shuu' in legal or academic contexts, such as 'within the current week' (konshuuchuu). C1 learners can appreciate the stylistic choice of using 'nanokan' versus 'isshuukan' in creative writing to evoke different feelings of time. You will also be proficient in using 'shuu' in compounds related to astronomical cycles or large-scale project management. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the subtle use of particles and the ability to use 'shuu' to create rhythm in your speech.

At the C2 level, you possess a masterly command of 'shuu' and all its related temporal concepts. You can discuss the etymology of the kanji 週 in depth, explaining the 'road' and 'cycle' radicals. You can engage in debates about the impact of the Western weekly cycle on Japanese traditional culture and labor laws. You are comfortable with archaic or highly specialized terms involving 'shuu' that might appear in historical novels or legal statutes. For a C2 learner, 'shuu' is not just a word for a week; it is a tool for precise temporal manipulation in high-stakes negotiations or complex storytelling. You can use 'shuu' to express irony, emphasis, or poetic brevity. You understand all regional variations or slang that might involve the concept of a week, and you can switch between formal 'shuumatsu' and colloquial 'do-nichi' with perfect social awareness.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

～週 in 30 Seconds

A suffix meaning 'week' used to mark specific weeks relative to today (last, this, next).
A counter for duration when combined with 'kan' (e.g., isshuukan for one week).
Undergoes phonetic changes with numbers 1 (isshuu), 8 (hasshuu), and 10 (jisshuu).
Essential for daily scheduling, business deadlines, and understanding Japanese media cycles.

The Japanese suffix ～週 (しゅう - shuu) is a fundamental building block for discussing time, specifically the seven-day cycle we call a week. While it primarily functions as a counter or a suffix to denote specific weeks relative to the present, its usage is deeply embedded in the rhythm of Japanese life, from school schedules to business deadlines. In its simplest form, it translates to 'week' or 'weeks.' However, unlike the English word 'week' which can stand alone as a noun, the Japanese shuu is almost always attached to a prefix or a number to provide context. For example, you will rarely hear someone say just 'shuu' to mean 'the week'; instead, they will say 今週 (konshuu) for 'this week' or 一週間 (isshuukan) for 'one week duration.'

Temporal Markers: The suffix is most commonly encountered with prefixes that indicate time relative to 'now.' 先週 (senshuu) refers to last week, 今週 (konshuu) to this week, and 来週 (raishuu) to next week. If you want to go further, you add sa- to get 再来週 (saraishuu) for the week after next. This systematic approach makes planning very logical in Japanese.
The Counter Function: When counting the number of weeks, shuu is used with the kanji for 'interval' 間 (kan). Thus, 'one week' is 一週間 (isshuukan). Without the kan, isshuu can sometimes mean 'one lap' or 'one round' (as in running around a track), so the distinction is vital for clarity in time-based conversations.

私は来週から新しい仕事を始めます。(Watashi wa raishuu kara atarashii shigoto o hajimemasu.)
Translation: I will start a new job starting next week.

Historically, the concept of a seven-day week was introduced to Japan through Buddhist astrological texts long before the Western calendar was adopted. The kanji 週 itself combines the radical for 'road' or 'movement' (⻌) with 'circumference' or 'cycle' (周), perfectly illustrating the idea of a repeating cycle of time. In modern Japan, this cycle dictates everything from the 'shuumatsu' (weekend) culture to the 'maishuu' (every week) release of popular manga magazines like Weekly Shonen Jump. Understanding shuu is not just about learning a word; it is about understanding how Japanese society segments its labor and leisure.

今週はとても忙しいです。(Konshuu wa totemo isogashii desu.)
Translation: This week is very busy.

When you use shuu in a sentence, pay attention to the particles. Usually, time words like konshuu or raishuu do not require the particle ni (at/on) unless you are emphasizing a specific point within that week. However, when using isshuukan as a duration, you might use ni to express frequency, such as isshuukan ni nankai (how many times per week). This versatility makes it one of the most frequently used nouns in daily Japanese communication, appearing in almost every conversation regarding plans, habits, or history.

Using ～週 correctly involves mastering its role as both a relative time marker and a duration counter. The most important distinction for learners is between 'which week' (relative) and 'how many weeks' (duration). When we talk about 'this week' or 'next week,' we are using the relative form. When we talk about 'for three weeks,' we are using the duration form. Let's look at the mechanics of these two primary uses.

Relative Time Construction: To specify a week relative to the present, use the standard prefixes: 先- (sen/last), 今- (kon/this), 来- (rai/next). These words function as temporal adverbs and usually start the sentence or follow the topic.
Example: Senshuu, Kyoto ni ikimashita. (Last week, I went to Kyoto.)
Duration and Frequency: To count weeks, use [Number] + 週間 (shuukan). Note the phonetic changes for certain numbers: 1 week is 一週間 (isshuukan), 8 weeks is 八週間 (hasshuukan), and 10 weeks is 十週間 (jisshuukan). To express frequency, use the pattern: [Duration] ni [Frequency].
Example: Isshuukan ni nankai tenisu o shimasu ka? (How many times a week do you play tennis?)

テストは来週の月曜日にあります。(Tesuto wa raishuu no getsuyoubi ni arimasu.)
Translation: The test is on Monday of next week.

Another advanced use is the suffix -目 (-me), which creates ordinal numbers. 二週目 (nishuume) means 'the second week' (of a month or a project). This is different from 二週間 (nishuukan), which means 'a period of two weeks.' If you are following a pregnancy or a long-term training program, you will often hear these ordinal counts. For instance, 'the third week of the month' is tsuki no sanshuume.

彼は三週間休みました。(Kare wa sanshuukan yasumimashita.)
Translation: He was absent for three weeks.

In business contexts, shuu is often paired with matsu (end) or ake (beginning/opening). 週明け (shuuake) refers to the start of the work week, typically Monday morning. A boss might say, 'Please have this report ready by shuuake.' This implies the deadline is the very first thing on Monday. Conversely, 週末まで (shuumatsu made) means 'by the end of the week' (Friday evening or Sunday). Mastering these nuances allows you to navigate Japanese professional environments with much higher precision.

The word ～週 is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life. If you turn on the television, walk through a train station, or open a social media app, you are guaranteed to encounter it within minutes. It is the heartbeat of Japanese scheduling. Let's explore the specific environments where this word takes center stage and how its meaning shifts slightly depending on the setting.

Media and Entertainment: Japan has a massive 'weekly' culture. Magazines are categorized as 週刊誌 (shuukanshi). You will see signs for 'Weekly Shonen Jump' or 'Weekly Famitsu.' On TV, variety shows often have segments like 'Konshuu no uranai' (This week's horoscope) or 'Konshuu no ranking' (This week's top hits). Fans of anime and manga live by the maishuu (every week) release cycle, making shuu a word of excitement and anticipation.
In the Workplace: In Japanese offices, the 'weekly report' or 週報 (shuuhou) is a standard requirement. Employees summarize their progress over the past isshuukan. Meetings are often scheduled as 'raishuu no getsuyoubi' (next Monday). You will also hear 週休二日制 (shuukyuu futsukasei), which refers to the five-day work week system (literally 'two-day-off-per-week system').

毎週土曜日にジムに行きます。(Maishuu doyoubi ni jimu ni ikimasu.)
Translation: I go to the gym every Saturday.

In schools, the 週番 (shuuban) system is a unique cultural element. A 'shuuban' is a student or group of students assigned to specific duties (like cleaning the chalkboard or leading the morning greeting) for that particular week. Hearing a teacher say, 'Who is the shuuban this week?' is a common classroom sound. This instills a sense of weekly responsibility from a young age.

先週は雨が多かったです。(Senshuu wa ame ga ookatta desu.)
Translation: There was a lot of rain last week.

Finally, in retail, you will see 今週の特売 (konshuu no tokubai) meaning 'this week's special sale.' Supermarkets and convenience stores rotate their inventory and discounts on a weekly basis. If you see a flyer with shuu on it, it usually indicates a limited-time offer that you should act on before the next cycle begins. Whether it is a sale, a duty, or a magazine release, shuu defines the tempo of life in Japan.

While ～週 seems straightforward, English speakers often fall into several linguistic traps. These mistakes usually stem from direct translation from English or a misunderstanding of how Japanese counters function. Let's break down the most common errors so you can avoid them and sound more like a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Omitting 'Kan' for Duration: In English, we say 'I studied for two weeks.' A common mistake is to say 'Nishuu benkyou shimashita.' In Japanese, you must add kan (interval) for duration: 二週間 (nishuukan). Without kan, nishuu sounds like you are talking about 'Week 2' of a specific program or simply 'two laps' around a track. Always remember: duration = shuukan.
Mistake 2: Using 'Ni' with Relative Time: English speakers often want to say 'On next week' or 'At this week,' leading them to use 'Raishuu ni...' or 'Konshuu ni...'. In Japanese, these relative time words are self-contained and do not take the particle ni. Correct: 来週行きます (Raishuu ikimasu). Incorrect: Raishuu ni ikimasu (unless you are specifically pointing to a day within that week, e.g., Raishuu no kayoubi ni).

❌ 一週日本にいました。
✅ 一週間日本にいました。
Correction: You must use 'kan' to express the duration of one week.

Another subtle mistake involves the word for 'every week.' Some learners try to combine subete (all) with shuu, resulting in 'subete no shuu.' While grammatically possible in very specific contexts, the natural word is 毎週 (maishuu). Similarly, don't confuse 先週 (senshuu - last week) with 去年 (kyonen - last year) or 先月 (sengetsu - last month). While they all use the 'sen' prefix, the time scales are vastly different.

❌ 先週に友達に会いました。
✅ 先週友達に会いました。
Correction: Do not use 'ni' after relative time markers like 'senshuu'.

Finally, be careful with 週末 (shuumatsu). In English, we often say 'On the weekend.' In Japanese, you can say 'shuumatsu ni' because 'weekend' is considered a specific point in time, unlike 'this week.' However, if you say 'This weekend,' it becomes 今週末 (konshuumatsu), and the ni becomes optional but is often dropped in casual speech. Keeping these distinctions in mind will prevent the 'clunky' feeling that many beginners have when discussing their schedules.

While ～週 is the standard way to talk about weeks, Japanese has several other ways to segment time that might overlap or provide a more specific nuance. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the right word for the right situation, whether you are being formal, poetic, or just very precise.

週 (Shuu) vs. 七日間 (Nanokan): 週 is the abstract concept of a week as a calendar unit. 七日間 (nanokan) literally means 'a period of seven days.' While often interchangeable, nanokan is used when the focus is on the individual days themselves (e.g., 'a 7-day journey') rather than the calendar week (e.g., 'next week').
週 (Shuu) vs. 旬 (Jun): In traditional Japanese timekeeping, months were divided into three 10-day periods called 旬 (jun): joujun (first 10 days), chuujun (middle 10 days), and gejun (last 10 days). You will still see this in business forecasts or seasonal food discussions (e.g., 'this fruit is in shun' - peak season). While shuu is more common for daily life, jun is essential for formal reports.

今月の上旬に引っ越します。(Kongetsu no joujun ni hikkoshimasu.)
Translation: I will move in the first ten days of this month. (Alternative to saying 'the first week')

Another related term is 一巡 (ichijun). While isshuu means one week or one lap, ichijun means 'one full cycle' or 'one round of turns.' This is often used in games or formal rotations. If you are talking about a weekly rotation of duties, you might say the duties have gone ichijun (completed one full cycle through all members).

土日は何をしますか？(Do-nichi wa nani o shimasu ka?)
Translation: What are you doing this Saturday and Sunday? (Natural alternative to 'shuumatsu')

Finally, consider the word 隔週 (kakushuu), which means 'every other week.' This is a very useful alternative to saying 'nishuukan ni ikkai' (once every two weeks). If a magazine is published bi-weekly, it is a kakushuu-kanshi. Using kakushuu makes your Japanese sound more concise and professional. By understanding these variations, you can move beyond basic 'week' talk and express complex schedules with ease.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The seven-day week was not the primary way of measuring time in Japan until the late 19th century. Before that, the 'jun' (10-day period) was more common. The names of the days (Moon, Mars, Mercury, etc.) were actually known in Japan since the 9th century through Buddhist astrology but weren't used for daily life until the Meiji era.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ʃuː

US ʃu

In 'shuu,' there is no stress as Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'isshuu,' the pitch typically starts low and rises.

Rhymes With

Kyuu (Nine) Jyuu (Ten) Ryuu (Dragon) Chuu (Middle) Guu (Even number) Suu (To breathe) Fuu (Wind) Tuu (Expert)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'she-oo' (two syllables). It is one smooth sound.
Forgetting the double consonant in 'isshuu' (one week).
Pronouncing 'raishuu' as 'rai-shoo-oo' with an elongated end.
Mixing up the pitch of 'konshuu' (this week) and 'koushuu' (public).
Failing to pronounce the 'n' in 'shuukan' clearly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji 週 is common but has many strokes. However, it is recognized early in study.

Writing 3/5

Writing the 'circumference' part inside the 'road' radical requires correct stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is easy, but phonetic changes in 'isshuu' and 'hasshuu' need practice.

Listening 1/5

Very easy to hear as it is a distinct, high-frequency sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

日 (Day) 月 (Month/Moon) 一 (One) 先 (Previous) 来 (Next)

Learn Next

曜日 (Days of the week) 時間 (Time/Hours) 予定 (Schedule) 週末 (Weekend) 月刊 (Monthly publication)

Advanced

上旬 (First 10 days) 中旬 (Middle 10 days) 下旬 (Last 10 days) 四半期 (Quarter of a year) 隔週 (Every other week)

Grammar to Know

Relative Time Nouns

今週 (konshuu), 来週 (raishuu) do not take 'ni' when used as adverbs.

Counters for Duration

Use [Number] + 週間 (shuukan) to indicate 'for X weeks'.

Frequency Particle 'ni'

一週間に三回 (isshuukan ni sankai) means 'three times per week'.

Ordinal Suffix '-me'

二週目 (nishuume) means 'the second week'.

Phonetic Changes

1 week = isshuu, 8 weeks = hasshuu, 10 weeks = jisshuu.

Examples by Level

来週、日本へ行きます。

I will go to Japan next week.

来週 (raishuu) is used here as a time adverb without the particle 'ni'.

今週は忙しいです。

This week is busy.

今週 (konshuu) is the topic of the sentence, marked by 'wa'.

先週、映画を見ました。

I watched a movie last week.

先週 (senshuu) indicates the past tense 'mimashita' is required.

一週間休みます。

I will take a break for one week.

一週間 (isshuukan) expresses duration. Note the small 'tsu' in 'isshuu'.

毎週、テニスをします。

I play tennis every week.

毎週 (maishuu) indicates a recurring habit.

来週の月曜日は休みです。

Next Monday is a holiday.

来週の (raishuu no) modifies the specific day 'Monday'.

二週間かかります。

It will take two weeks.

二週間 (nishuukan) is the subject of the verb 'kakarimasu' (to take time).

週末に何をしますか？

What will you do on the weekend?

週末 (shuumatsu) can take the particle 'ni' to indicate a specific point in time.

一週間に三回ジムに行きます。

I go to the gym three times a week.

The pattern '[Duration] ni [Frequency]' is used here.

再来週のパーティーに来ますか？

Are you coming to the party the week after next?

再来週 (saraishuu) means 'the week after next'.

今週末は暇ですか？

Are you free this weekend?

今週末 (konshuumatsu) combines 'this' and 'weekend'.

先週のテストは難しかったです。

Last week's test was difficult.

先週の (senshuu no) links the time to the noun 'test'.

三週間、旅行しました。

I traveled for three weeks.

三週間 (sanshuukan) is the duration of the travel.

毎週日曜日に掃除をします。

I do cleaning every Sunday.

毎週 (maishuu) + [Day] specifies a weekly routine.

来週までにレポートを出してください。

Please submit the report by next week.

までに (made ni) indicates a deadline.

一週間は七日です。

One week is seven days.

A simple definition sentence using 'isshuukan'.

週明けに会議があります。

There is a meeting at the start of the week.

週明け (shuuake) typically refers to Monday morning.

今月の第二週目は出張です。

I have a business trip in the second week of this month.

第二週目 (dai-nishuume) uses the ordinal 'me' for 'the second week'.

この雑誌は隔週で発行されます。

This magazine is published every other week.

隔週 (kakushuu) means 'every other week'.

先週の金曜日から風邪を引いています。

I have had a cold since last Friday.

先週の金曜日 (senshuu no kinyoubi) specifies the starting point.

一週間のスケジュールを確認しましょう。

Let's check the weekly schedule.

一週間の (isshuukan no) acts as an adjective for 'schedule'.

週末までにこの仕事を終わらせます。

I will finish this work by the end of the week.

週末までに (shuumatsu made ni) implies Friday evening.

来週の今頃はハワイにいます。

This time next week, I will be in Hawaii.

来週の今頃 (raishuu no imagoro) means 'this time next week'.

週に一度、実家に電話します。

I call my parents' house once a week.

週に一度 (shuu ni ichido) is a shorthand for 'isshuukan ni ichido'.

週休二日制を導入している企業が増えています。

The number of companies introducing a five-day work week is increasing.

週休二日制 (shuukyuu futsukasei) is a formal business term.

今週中にお返事をいただけますか？

Could I have your reply within this week?

今週中 (konshuuchuu) means 'within this week'.

そのプロジェクトは三週間の遅れが出ています。

That project is running three weeks behind schedule.

三週間の遅れ (sanshuukan no okure) means a 'three-week delay'.

彼は一週間にわたって行方不明でした。

He was missing for over a week.

にわたって (ni watatte) indicates a duration spanning a period.

このドラマは全十週の予定で放送されます。

This drama is scheduled to air for a total of ten weeks.

全十週 (zen-jisshuu) means 'the entire ten weeks'.

週の半ばに台風が接近する見込みです。

A typhoon is expected to approach in the middle of the week.

週の半ば (shuu no nakaba) means 'mid-week'.

来週の今夜、またここで会いましょう。

Let's meet here again a week from tonight.

来週の今夜 (raishuu no kon-ya) is a specific temporal reference.

毎週のように新しいカフェがオープンしています。

New cafes are opening almost every week.

毎週のように (maishuu no you ni) means 'almost every week'.

週報の提出は、業務の透明性を高めるために不可欠です。

Submitting weekly reports is essential for increasing operational transparency.

週報 (shuuhou) is a formal term for a weekly report.

先々週の議事録を再確認する必要があります。

We need to re-examine the minutes from the week before last.

先々週 (sensenshuu) means 'the week before last'.

この連載は、来週号で最終回を迎えます。

This series will reach its final installment in next week's issue.

来週号 (raishuugou) refers to next week's issue of a publication.

一週間の猶予をいただければ、修正可能です。

If you can give me a one-week grace period, I can fix it.

猶予 (yuuyo) means 'grace period' or 'delay'.

週明けの市場の動向を注視しなければなりません。

We must closely monitor market trends at the start of the week.

週明けの市場 (shuuake no shijou) refers to the market opening on Monday.

この地域では、ゴミの収集が隔週で行われています。

In this area, garbage collection is carried out every other week.

隔週で (kakushuu de) is the adverbial form of 'every other week'.

一週間の疲れを癒やすために、温泉に行きました。

I went to a hot spring to heal the fatigue of the week.

一週間の疲れ (isshuukan no tsukare) is a common phrase for 'weekly fatigue'.

週に二日の休日は、現代社会において最低限の権利です。

Two days off per week is a minimum right in modern society.

週に二日の休日 (shuu ni futsuka no kyuujitsu) is a formal phrasing.

明治維新以降、日本は西洋的な週の概念を急速に受容した。

After the Meiji Restoration, Japan rapidly accepted the Western concept of the week.

週の概念 (shuu no gainen) refers to the 'concept of the week'.

週刊誌のセンセーショナルな報道が、世論を左右することもある。

Sensational reporting by weekly magazines can sometimes influence public opinion.

週刊誌 (shuukanshi) is the specific term for weekly magazines.

その法案は、数週間にわたる激しい議論の末に可決された。

The bill was passed after several weeks of intense debate.

数週間にわたる (suushuukan ni wataru) means 'spanning several weeks'.

一週間のルーチンが崩れると、精神的な不調を招きかねない。

If the weekly routine is disrupted, it could lead to mental health issues.

招きかねない (maneki kanenai) means 'might lead to/invite'.

週ごとの売上データを分析し、次期の戦略を策定する。

Analyze weekly sales data and formulate strategies for the next period.

週ごとの (shuu-goto no) means 'per week' or 'weekly'.

伝統的な「旬」の感覚と、現代の「週」の区切りが混在している。

The traditional sense of 'jun' and the modern 'week' divisions coexist.

混在している (konzai shite iru) means 'coexisting' or 'mixed'.

来週の今ごろ、我々は全く異なる局面に立たされているだろう。

This time next week, we will likely be facing a completely different situation.

局面に立たされる (kyokumen ni tatasareru) is an idiomatic expression for 'being in a situation'.

一週間のうちに、これほどまでの変化が起こるとは予想だにしなかった。

I never expected such a change to occur within a single week.

予想だにしなかった (yosou dani shinakatta) is a formal 'never even expected'.

Common Collocations

今週の予定

一週間に一度

来週の月曜日

週明けの仕事

週末の旅行

毎週の習慣

先週の出来事

二週間の休暇

週に三回

来週号の雑誌

Common Phrases

今週中

— Within this week. Used to set a deadline that expires by Sunday night.

今週中に終わらせます。(I will finish it within this week.)

週明け

— The beginning of the week. Usually refers to Monday morning.

週明けに連絡します。(I will contact you at the start of the week.)

週末

— Weekend. Refers to Saturday and Sunday.

週末は何をしますか？(What are you doing this weekend?)

毎週

— Every week. Used for recurring events.

毎週、日本語を勉強します。(I study Japanese every week.)

先週

— Last week. Refers to the previous 7-day cycle.

先週は雨でした。(It was rainy last week.)

来週

— Next week. Refers to the upcoming 7-day cycle.

来週、会いましょう。(Let's meet next week.)

再来週

— The week after next. Two weeks from now.

再来週から旅行です。(I'm going on a trip starting the week after next.)

一週間

— One week duration. A period of seven days.

一週間、待ちました。(I waited for one week.)

週休

— Weekly holiday. Usually used in the context of work days off.

週休二日制です。(It's a two-day-off-per-week system.)

週刊誌

— Weekly magazine. A very common type of publication in Japan.

週刊誌を読みます。(I read weekly magazines.)

Often Confused With

～週 vs 周

This is the kanji for 'lap' or 'circumference.' While related, 週 is specifically for weeks.

～週 vs 集

Pronounced 'shuu,' but means 'to gather' or 'collection' (like a book volume).

～週 vs 終

Pronounced 'shuu,' but means 'end' (as in 'shuumatsu' - the 'matsu' part is different).

Idioms & Expressions

"週に一度の贅沢"

— A once-a-week luxury. Treating oneself to something special weekly.

週に一度の贅沢で、高い寿司を食べます。(As a once-a-week luxury, I eat expensive sushi.)

Casual

"週末の戦士"

— Weekend warrior. Someone who is very active or busy only on weekends.

彼は週末の戦士として山に登ります。(He climbs mountains as a weekend warrior.)

Slang/Colloquial

"一週間が早い"

— The week goes by fast. A common expression of how time flies.

もう金曜日？一週間が早いね。(Friday already? The week goes by fast, doesn't it?)

Neutral

"週明けの憂鬱"

— Monday blues. The feeling of depression at the start of the work week.

週明けの憂鬱を吹き飛ばそう！(Let's blow away the Monday blues!)

Casual

"週を追うごとに"

— With each passing week. Used to describe a gradual change.

週を追うごとに寒くなります。(It gets colder with each passing week.)

Formal

"魔の第三週"

— The 'evil' third week. Often used in dieting or habit-forming to describe the hardest week.

ダイエットは魔の第三週が山場だ。(The third week is the climax of a diet.)

Casual

"週の真ん中"

— The middle of the week (Wednesday).

週の真ん中に休みがあると嬉しい。(I'm happy when there's a holiday in the middle of the week.)

Neutral

"一週間のご褒美"

— A reward for the week's hard work.

金曜日のビールは一週間のご褒美だ。(Friday beer is a reward for the week.)

Casual

"週休三日"

— Three days off per week. A modern concept of a shorter work week.

週休三日の会社を探しています。(I'm looking for a company with three days off a week.)

Neutral

"来週の自分に期待"

— Expecting 'future me' to do it. A humorous way to procrastinate.

今日はもう寝て、来週の自分に期待する。(I'll sleep now and expect my next-week self to do it.)

Slang

Easily Confused

～週 vs 一週 (isshuu)

Sounds like 'one week' but can mean 'one lap.'

Isshuu is one lap around a track. Isshuukan is the duration of seven days. Context usually clarifies, but 'kan' is safer for time.

トラックを一週しました。(I did one lap of the track.)

～週 vs 週刊 (shuukan)

Sounds identical to 週間 (duration).

週刊 (shuukan) refers to a weekly publication. 週間 (shuukan) refers to a period of a week. They are homophones.

週刊誌を買いました。(I bought a weekly magazine.)

～週 vs 先週 (senshuu)

Learners mix it up with 先月 (sengetsu).

Senshuu is last week. Sengetsu is last month. Both use 'sen' (previous).

先月は忙しかったです。(Last month was busy.)

～週 vs 週末 (shuumatsu)

Learners think it only means Sunday.

Shuumatsu includes both Saturday and Sunday, though some use it to mean just the time off work.

週末、遊びましょう。(Let's hang out on the weekend.)

～週 vs 隔週 (kakushuu)

Learners forget this word and use long phrases.

Kakushuu is the concise way to say 'every other week.'

隔週でレッスンがあります。(I have lessons every other week.)

Sentence Patterns

[Relative Week]、[Action]ます。

来週、日本へ行きます。

[Number]週間[Action]ます。

二週間休みます。

一週間に[Number]回[Action]ます。

一週間に二回ジムに行きます。

[Relative Week]の[Day]に[Action]ます。

先週の土曜日に映画を見ました。

[Relative Week]までに[Action]てください。

来週までにレポートを出してください。

[Month]の第[Number]週目に[Action]ます。

五月の第三週目に旅行します。

[Relative Week]中にお返事します。

今週中にお返事します。

[Number]週間にわたって[State]。

三週間にわたって雨が降りました。

Word Family

Nouns

週末 (shuumatsu) - Weekend

週刊 (shuukan) - Weekly publication

週報 (shuuhou) - Weekly report

週給 (shuukyuu) - Weekly wage

Verbs

週回する (shuukai suru) - To go around in cycles (rarely used, usually 'mawaru')

Adjectives

週刊の (shuukan no) - Weekly

曜日 (youbi) - Day of the week

カレンダー (karenda-) - Calendar

月 (tsuki) - Month

日 (hi) - Day

時間 (jikan) - Time

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high. Used daily in almost all social and professional contexts.

Common Mistakes

Saying 'Ichishuukan' instead of 'Isshuukan'. → Isshuukan (一週間)
The number 1 (ichi) undergoes a phonetic change when followed by 'shuu.' The 'chi' becomes a small 'tsu.'
Using 'Raishuu ni' for 'Next week'. → Raishuu (来週)
Relative time words like 'next week' do not take the particle 'ni' in Japanese.
Omitting 'kan' for duration (e.g., 'Nishuu yasumimasu'). → Nishuukan yasumimasu (二週間休みます)
To express a period of time (duration), you must add 'kan' (interval) after 'shuu.'
Confusing 'Senshuu' with 'Sengetsu'. → Senshuu (Last week) / Sengetsu (Last month)
Both use the 'sen' prefix, but 'shuu' is week and 'getsu' is month. Be careful with the second kanji.
Using 'Subete no shuu' for 'Every week'. → Maishuu (毎週)
While 'subete no shuu' is technically understandable, 'maishuu' is the natural and standard word for 'every week.'

Tips

Skip the 'Ni'

Don't use the particle 'ni' after 'konshuu,' 'raishuu,' or 'senshuu.' They act as adverbs on their own. Saying 'Raishuu ni ikimasu' sounds slightly unnatural to native ears.

The Small 'Tsu'

Pay close attention to 'isshuukan' (1 week). The small 'tsu' creates a tiny pause that is vital. If you say 'ishukan,' it sounds like a different word entirely.

Use 'Do-nichi'

In casual settings, 'do-nichi' (Saturday-Sunday) is often more common than 'shuumatsu.' If you want to sound more like a local when making plans, try using 'do-nichi.'

Deadlines

If a boss says 'shuuake made ni,' they mean Monday morning. If they say 'konshuuchuu,' they mean by the end of the work week (Friday) or the calendar week (Sunday).

Weekly Magazines

Japan loves weekly magazines. Look for the kanji 週刊 (shuukan) on magazine covers at convenience stores to see this word in the wild.

The 'Sen-Kon-Rai' Trio

Memorize them as a set: Sen (Past), Kon (Present), Rai (Future). This pattern applies to weeks, months, and years (though 'year' uses 'kyonen' for past).

Frequency Pattern

To say 'once a week,' use 'isshuukan ni ichido.' This 'ni' is necessary because it marks the time frame within which the action happens.

Kanji Strokes

The inner part of 週 is 周. Practice writing 周 first, then add the 'road' radical (⻌) around it. This is the correct stroke order.

Catch the Prefix

When listening to fast Japanese, focus on the first syllable (Sen, Kon, Rai). That's the most important part of the word for understanding the timeline.

Greeting

On a Monday, it's common to say 'Konshuu mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu' (Let's have a good week together) in a business setting.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'shoe' (shuu) walking in a circle on a 'road' (⻌) for 7 days until it returns to the start. That cycle is one 'shuu.'

Visual Association

Visualize a circular racetrack with seven markers. Each time you complete the track, you have finished one 'shuu.'

Word Web

先週 (Last) 今週 (This) 来週 (Next) 毎週 (Every) 週末 (Weekend) 一週間 (1 Week) 週明け (Start) 隔週 (Every other)

Challenge

Try to describe your entire next week using only 'raishuu' and the days of the week (getsuyoubi, kayoubi, etc.) in Japanese.

Word Origin

The kanji 週 (shuu) is a phono-semantic compound. It combines the radical ⻌ (shin-nyuu), which represents a road or walking/movement, with the character 周 (shuu), which means 'circumference' or 'to go around.' Together, they signify a cycle that returns to its starting point.

Original meaning: To go around; a complete cycle or circuit.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be aware that 'shuumatsu' might not mean a break for everyone; many in the service industry work through the weekend.

Similar to Western cultures, the week starts on Monday for work/school, though calendars often start on Sunday.

Weekly Shonen Jump (週刊少年ジャンプ) - The world's most famous weekly manga magazine. Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク) - A week of holidays in late April/early May. Weekly Famitsu (週刊ファミ通) - A famous weekly video game magazine.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Making an appointment

来週の予定はどうですか？
今週は空いていますか？
再来週なら大丈夫です。
週明けに会いましょう。

Discussing habits

一週間に二回走ります。
毎週、映画を見ます。
週末はいつも家で休みます。
週に一度、買い物をします。

At work

今週中に終わらせます。
先週の会議の資料です。
週報を提出しました。
来週から出張です。

School life

来週、テストがあります。
今週の週番は誰ですか？
二週間の夏休みがあります。
毎週、宿題が出ます。

Travel and Leisure

週末に京都へ行きます。
一週間の旅行です。
先週、温泉に行きました。
来週のチケットを買いました。

Conversation Starters

"今週の週末は何をする予定ですか？ (What are your plans for this weekend?)"

"先週はどこかへ行きましたか？ (Did you go anywhere last week?)"

"一週間に何回ぐらい外食しますか？ (About how many times a week do you eat out?)"

"来週の天気はどうでしょうか？ (I wonder how the weather will be next week?)"

"毎週楽しみにしているテレビ番組はありますか？ (Is there a TV show you look forward to every week?)"

Journal Prompts

今週あった一番いい出来事について書いてください。 (Write about the best thing that happened this week.)

来週の目標を三つ決めてください。 (Decide on three goals for next week.)

理想的な一週間の過ごし方を説明してください。 (Describe your ideal way to spend a week.)

先週の自分にアドバイスをするとしたら何ですか？ (If you could give advice to yourself last week, what would it be?)

毎週のルーチンの中で、一番好きな時間はいつですか？ (In your weekly routine, when is your favorite time?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, for duration. If you say 'isshuu,' people might think you mean 'one lap.' To say 'for one week,' always use 'isshuukan.' This is a common point of confusion for beginners.

Yes, 'shuumatsu' (weekend) covers both days. In casual speech, people also use 'do-nichi' (Sat-Sun) to mean the same thing. Both are very common.

This is a phonetic change called 'sokuon.' When 'ichi' (one) is followed by a 'sh' sound, the 'chi' becomes a small 'tsu' (pause). This also happens with 8 (hasshuu) and 10 (jisshuu).

Yes, 'isshuu' is used for one round or one lap. However, for a 'turn' in a game, 'ban' or 'taan' is more common. 'Isshuu' implies going all the way around a cycle.

You use the prefix 'sa-' before 'raishuu' to get 'saraishuu' (再来週). Similarly, 'the week before last' is 'sensenshuu' (先々週).

Essentially, yes. It literally means 'the opening of the week.' In a business context, it almost always refers to Monday morning when the office reopens.

It is treated as one word (毎週). It is a compound of 'mai' (every) and 'shuu' (week). You don't need a particle between them.

Yes, this is the standard way to say 'this Monday.' You use the particle 'no' to link the week to the specific day.

It is 'Gooruden Wiiku' (ゴールデンウィーク). While it contains the word 'week,' it is a specific holiday period in Japan and is usually written in katakana.

Yes, you will often hear 'shuuake kara ame' (rain starting from the beginning of the week) or 'shuumatsu wa hare' (sunny on the weekend).