Translation and Meaning of: 週 - shuu

The Japanese word 週[しゅう] is a fundamental term for those learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. It represents a simple yet essential concept in daily life: the week. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, usage in sentences, and even curiosities about how the Japanese perceive this word. If you want to understand how 週[しゅう] functions in practice or are looking for tips to memorize it, keep reading.

In addition to being a common word in everyday conversations, 週[しゅう] frequently appears in calendars, planners, and schedules. Its kanji has an interesting history, and its use goes beyond the basics. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide accurate and useful information for Japanese language learners. Let's uncover everything about this word, from its writing to practical examples that you can use in your learning.

Meaning and origin of 週[しゅう]

週[しゅう] means "week" in Japanese and is used to refer to periods of seven days. The kanji 週 is composed of the radical 辶 (which indicates movement) and 周 (which means "circumference" or "circle"). This combination suggests the idea of a cycle that repeats, like the days that make up a week. The origin of the kanji dates back to ancient Chinese, where it already represented the notion of cyclical time.

In Japan, the adoption of the Western concept of a seven-day week was only established during the Meiji period (1868-1912), when the country underwent modernization. Before that, the Japanese used other systems to mark time, such as lunar cycles. Today, 週[しゅう] is a word completely integrated into modern vocabulary, appearing in expressions like 今週[こんしゅう] (this week) and 来週[らいしゅう] (next week).

How to use 週[しゅう] in everyday life

週[しゅう] is a versatile word that appears in various contexts. In informal conversations, it's common to hear phrases like 週末[しゅうまつ]は何をする？ (What are you going to do this weekend?). In the workplace, expressions such as 週明け[しゅうあけ] (beginning of the week) and 週間予定[しゅうかんよてい] (weekly schedule) are frequent. The word is also used to indicate frequency, as in 週一回[しゅういっかい] (once a week).

It is worth noting that the Japanese often plan their activities in weekly cycles, especially in large cities. Therefore, 週[しゅう] appears on public notices, TV schedules, and even on restaurant menus that change weekly. Mastering the use of this word is essential for anyone who wants to communicate naturally in Japan, whether in casual or professional situations.

Tips for memorizing 週[しゅう]

An effective way to memorize the kanji 週 is to associate it with the idea of a repeating cycle. Note that the component 周 (which means "turn" or "around") appears within the radical 辶 (movement). Together, they create a mental image of something that circles and returns, like the days of the week. This visual association can help to remember both the meaning and the writing of the character.

Another strategy is to practice with compound words that use 週 [しゅう]. For example, 先週 [せんしゅう] (last week), 今週 [こんしゅう] (this week), and 毎週 [まいしゅう] (every week) follow a logical time pattern. Creating flashcards with these expressions or using them in simple everyday sentences speeds up the memorization process. Spaced repetition, a technique used in apps like Anki, is also highly recommended for reinforcing vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 週間 (shūkan) - refers to a period of seven days or a week.
• 七日間 (nanokakan) - a period of seven days, emphasizing the duration.
• 七日 (nanoka) - seven days, usually used to refer to a specific period.
• 七曜日 (nan'yōbi) - the seven days of the week.
• 一週間 (isshūkan) - a period of a week, emphasizing uniqueness.
• 一周 (isshū) - a one-week cycle can refer to a repeated cycle.
• 週毎 (shūmai) - every week, a term that emphasizes weekly recurrence.
• 週単位 (shū tan'i) - in weekly units, used in planning contexts.
• 週ごと (shūgoto) - every week, similar to 週毎.
• 週刊 (shūkan) - weekly, used to refer to publications or events that occur once a week.
• 週報 (shūhō) - weekly report, a document that compiles information from a week.
• 週間の (shūkan no) - related to the week, used to describe something that belongs to a week.
• 週間的 (shūkan-teki) - on a weekly basis, describing a weekly approach or pattern.
• 週期的 (shūki-teki) - periodical, referring to events that occur at regular intervals, such as weekly.

週

Romaji: shuu
Kana: しゅう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: week

Meaning in English: week

Definition: period of 7 days or 1 week.

Example Sentences - (週) shuu

See below some example sentences:

私は毎週新しい商品を仕入れます。

Watashi wa maishuu atarashii shouhin o shiirerimasu

I buy new products every week.

I buy new products every week.

• 私は - personal pronoun "I"
• 毎週 - adverb "weekly"
• 新しい - adjective "new"
• 商品を - noun "product" + particle "the" (direct object)
• 仕入れます - verb "comprar" (formal)

今週末に大会があります。

Konshūmatsu ni taikai ga arimasu

There is a tournament this weekend.

There is a tournament this weekend.

• 今週末 - current weekend
• に - Particle indicating time or place
• 大会 - competition, tournament
• が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• あります - verb "to exist", indicating that the competition will take place

この商品は来週発売されます。

Kono shouhin wa raishuu hatsubai saremasu

This product will be released next week.

This product will be released next week.

• この商品 - This product
• は - Topic particle
• 来週 - Next week
• 発売 - Launch
• されます - Será feito (passive form of the verb "suru")

一週間は七日間です。

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

今週末に開催されるイベントに参加する予定です。

Konnshūmatsu ni kaisai sareru ibento ni sanka suru yotei desu

We plan to participate in events to be held this weekend.

• 今週末に開催される - event to be held this weekend
• イベント - event
• に - particle that indicates the target or destination of an action
• 参加する - participate
• 予定です - I plan to do

定休日は毎週火曜日です。

Teikyūbi wa maishū kayōbi desu

The regular holiday is every Tuesday.

• 定休日 - fixed day off
• は - Topic particle
• 毎週 - Every week
• 火曜日 - Tuesday
• です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)

私は毎週ゼミに参加しています。

Watashi wa maishuu zemi ni sanka shiteimasu

I participate in the seminar every week.

I participate in the seminar every week.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎週 (maishuu) - Japanese adverb meaning "every week"
• ゼミ (zemi) - Japanese noun meaning "seminar"
• に (ni) - particle indicating a directing action or destination
• 参加しています (sanka shiteimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to participate" and conjugated in the present continuous tense

私は週に2回パートで働いています。

Watashi wa shū ni nikai pāto de hataraite imasu

I work a part time job twice a week.

I work twice a week.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates the subject of the sentence
• 週 (shuu) - means "week" in Japanese
• に (ni) - Japanese time particle, indicates when something happens
• 2 (ni) - number two in Japanese
• 回 (kai) - means "times" in Japanese and indicates the frequency of an action
• パート (paato) - borrowed from the English word "part-time", meaning part-time work
• で (de) - location particle in Japanese, indicates where something happens
• 働いています (hataraiteimasu) - polite form of the verb "to work" in Japanese, indicates the action being performed

私は来週のコンサートに出演します。

Watashi wa raishuu no konsaato ni shutsuen shimasu

I will perform at the concert next week.

I will appear at next week's show.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 来週 - noun meaning "next week"
• の - possession particle indicating that "next week" belongs to the sentence
• コンサート - noun meaning "concert"
• に - destination particle that indicates that the subject is heading to the "concert"
• 出演 - verb meaning "to introduce oneself" or "to participate in an event"
• します - auxiliary verb that indicates future action, equivalent to "I'm going to introduce myself" or "I'm going to participate"

私たちは隔週で会います。

Watashitachi wa kakushuu de aimasu

We meet every two weeks.

• 私たちは - We
• 隔週で - Every two weeks
• 会います - We meet