Translation guide
In Japanese, 'last week' is most commonly expressed as 先週 (せんしゅう). Unlike English, it does not require a preposition and can often be placed flexibly in a sentence. The phrase 先週の (せんしゅうの) is used to modify nouns, meaning 'last week's'.
The speaker wants to talk about something that happened or was the case during the week before the current one.
The standard, neutral word for 'last week'. It can be used as a noun or adverbially without a particle in casual speech.
先週、東京に行きました。
I went to Tokyo last week.
先週はとても忙しかったです。
I was very busy last week.
Used to modify a noun, meaning 'last week's' or 'of last week'.
先週の会議の資料を送ってください。
Please send the materials from last week's meeting.
先週の天気はどうでしたか？
How was the weather last week?
Literally 'the week before'. It can be used when contrasting with another week or in more descriptive contexts. Slightly more formal or written.
前の週と比べて、売上が増えました。
Compared to the previous week, sales increased.
Specifically 'last weekend' (the weekend of last week).
先週の週末は何をしましたか？
What did you do last weekend?
Unlike English, you don't need a word like 'on' or 'in' before 先週. You can simply say 先週 (last week) at the beginning or within the sentence.
先週 is the standard way to say 'last week'. この前の週 (このまえのしゅう) can also mean 'the other week' or 'a previous week', but it's less precise and more conversational. Stick to 先週 for clarity.