Translation and Meaning of: 週間 - shuukan
The Japanese word 週間[しゅうかん] is essential for those learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. It frequently appears in daily life, in calendars, TV programs, and even in personal goals. In this article, we will explore its meaning, practical uses, and how it fits into the daily communication of the Japanese people.
If you've ever wondered how the Japanese organize their time or how they express weekly periods, understanding 週間 is a great starting point. In addition to uncovering its translation and structure, let's dive into real examples and tips to efficiently memorize this word.
Meaning and translation of 週間
週間[しゅうかん] literally means "week" or "period of one week" in Japanese. Unlike 週[しゅう], which also refers to a week, 週間 carries the idea of a specific time interval. For example, 今週間[こんしゅうかん] would be "this week," but the most common usage is in combinations like 二週間[にしゅうかん] (two weeks).
It is worth noting that the translation to Portuguese is not always direct. While in Portuguese we say "uma semana" or "semanal", in Japanese 週間 can appear in broader contexts, such as in events (e.g., 桜週間[さくらしゅうかん] – "cherry blossom week"). This flexibility makes it a versatile word in the vocabulary.
Origin and structure of kanji
The kanji 週 is composed of the radical 辶 (which indicates movement) combined with 周 (which means "circumference" or "around"). Together, they suggest the idea of a repeating cycle, perfect for representing the week. Meanwhile, 間, which means "interval" or "space," reinforces the notion of a defined time period.
This combination is not random. It reflects how the Japanese perceive the week: a cycle that renews every seven days. Interestingly, 週間 is a relatively modern word in Japanese, emerging more strongly after the adoption of the Gregorian calendar during the Meiji period, when the Western weekly organization was incorporated.
Everyday use and common expressions
In daily life, 週間 appears in various contexts. You can find it on store signs (e.g., 営業週間[えいぎょうしゅうかん] – "business week"), on TV (e.g., 特集週間[とくしゅうしゅうかん] – "special program week") or even in fitness goals (e.g., ダイエット週間[だいえっとしゅうかん] – "diet week").
A practical tip for memorization is to associate 週間 with recurring events. For example, many Japanese cities have 文化週間[ぶんかしゅうかん] ("cultural week") annually. Creating flashcards with these expressions helps to solidify not only the word but its real usage. The Suki Nihongo dictionary offers authentic examples for this type of study.
Tips to avoid confusing similar words
A common mistake among students is to confuse 週間 with 週末[しゅうまつ] ("weekend"). While the former refers to the complete period, the latter specifies only Saturday and Sunday. Another frequent confusion is with 周期[しゅうき], which means "cycle" in a broader sense, not necessarily weekly.
To avoid these misconceptions, pay attention to the suffixes. When you see ～間 at the end, remember that it generally indicates a time lapse. On the other hand, ～末 tends to mark the end of something. This simple observation can save many misunderstandings in communication.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 一週間 (Isshūkan) - A week
- 一週 (Isshū) - A week (shorter form)
- 週間 (Shūkan) - Weekly
- 週 (Shū) - Week
- 七日間 (Nanokakan) - Seven-day period
- 七日 (Nanoka) - Seven days (shorter form)
- 週報 (Shūhō) - Weekly report
- 週次 (Shūji) - Weekly (one-week interval)
- 週刊 (Shūkan) - Weekly publication
- 週期 (Shūki) - Weekly cycle
- 一週間の (Isshūkan no) - A week ago
- 七日間の (Nanokakan no) - Over a period of seven days
- 一週の (Isshū no) - In a week
- 七日の (Nanoka no) - Of seven days (shorter form)
Romaji: shuukan
Kana: しゅうかん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: week; weekly
Meaning in English: week;weekly
Definition: 7 dias.
Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (週間) shuukan
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (週間) shuukan:
Example Sentences - (週間) shuukan
See below some example sentences:
Isshukan wa nananichikan desu
A week has seven days.
A week is seven days.
- 一週間 - A week
- は - Topic particle
- 七日間 - Seven days
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Shimekiri made ato ichi shuukan desu
It's just a week before the deadline.
- 締め切り (shimekiri) - deadline
- まで (made) - up until
- あと (ato) - outstanding
- 一週間 (isshukan) - A week
- です (desu) - is
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
