Translation guide
The English word 'week' refers to a period of seven days. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 週 (しゅう), but the way you express 'week' depends on context: counting weeks, naming days of the week, or talking about 'this week', 'next week', etc.
Referring to a week as a unit of time, such as 'one week', 'two weeks', etc.
The basic word for 'week'. Used with numbers to count weeks, or in compounds like 今週 (this week).
一週間は七日です。
One week is seven days.
彼は三週間日本にいました。
He was in Japan for three weeks.
Specifically used for a duration of weeks. Often combined with a number.
Referring to a specific week relative to the present.
Naming the days from Monday to Sunday.
Suffix meaning 'day of the week'. Combined with elements like 月 (moon) to form Monday, etc.
Referring to Saturday and Sunday, or the end of the week.
Referring to Monday through Friday, as opposed to the weekend.
Expressing frequency per week.
Pattern for 'X times a week'. Replace Number with the frequency.
週に三回日本語を勉強しています。
I study Japanese three times a week.
Referring to something that covers or lasts a week.
A week's worth (of something).
一週間分の食料を買いました。
I bought a week's worth of groceries.
週 is the general concept of a week, while 週間 is specifically for duration. When saying 'for X weeks', use 週間. When saying 'this week' or 'next week', use 週 in compounds like 今週.
The days are named after the sun, moon, and five classical planets/elements: 日 (sun), 月 (moon), 火 (fire/Mars), 水 (water/Mercury), 木 (wood/Jupiter), 金 (metal/Venus), 土 (earth/Saturn).
この薬を二週間飲んでください。
Please take this medicine for two weeks.
This week.
今週はとても忙しいです。
I'm very busy this week.
Next week.
来週の月曜日に会議があります。
There's a meeting next Monday.
Last week.
先週、新しい映画を見ました。
I saw a new movie last week.
Every week.
毎週金曜日にジムに行きます。
I go to the gym every Friday.
The week after next.
再来週の予定はまだ決まっていません。
My plans for the week after next aren't decided yet.
The week before last.
先々週、引っ越しました。
I moved the week before last.
今日は何曜日ですか。
What day of the week is it today?
Weekend. Commonly used for plans or activities.
週末は何をしますか。
What are you doing this weekend?
Weekday (non-holiday). Often used in contexts like business hours or regular schedules.
平日は朝早く起きます。
I get up early on weekdays.
Loanword from English 'weekday'. Less common than 平日, but used in some contexts like 'weekday specials'.
ウィークデー割引があります。
There's a weekday discount.
週に一度映画を見ます。
I watch a movie once a week.
Weekly publication (e.g., magazine).
週刊誌を読むのが好きです。
I like reading weekly magazines.