Translation and Meaning of: 金曜 - kinyou

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 金曜 (きんよう). It is part of the basic vocabulary used daily in Japan and has a simple yet interesting meaning. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, its origin, how it is used in everyday life, and some fun facts that can help with memorization. If you want to better understand Japanese or just discover something new, keep reading!

The meaning and origin of 金曜 (きんよう)

金曜 (きんよう) is the Japanese word for "Friday". It is composed of two kanjis: 金 (kin), which means "gold" or "money", and 曜 (you), which refers to "day of the week". The combination of these characters follows the pattern of the days of the week in Japan, which are associated with elements of nature and celestial bodies, influenced by ancient Chinese astrology.

The use of 金 (gold) to represent Friday is related to Venus, known as "the golden star" in some traditions. This system was adopted in Japan during the Meiji period when the country underwent modernization and standardized its calendar. Since then, 金曜日 (きんようび) – with the suffix 日 (bi) for "day" – has become the standard way to refer to Friday.

How 金曜 is used in everyday Japanese.

In Japan, Friday is a particularly anticipated day, just like in many Western countries. Many people associate 金曜 with the arrival of the weekend, making it a symbol of relaxation and planning for leisure activities. Expressions like 花金 (はなきん, "hanakin"), an abbreviation of 花の金曜日 (flower of Friday), are colloquially used to celebrate the end of the workweek.

Furthermore, Friday also has a relevant commercial aspect. Many promotions in stores and restaurants are specifically advertised for 金曜日, taking advantage of the increased flow of people going out to dinner or shopping. If you are in Japan, it is worth keeping an eye on these offers!

Curiosities and tips for memorizing 金曜

An effective way to remember that 金曜 means Friday is to associate the kanji 金 (gold) with the idea that Friday is a "valuable" day marking the end of the week. Additionally, in many countries, Friday is informally referred to as "golden Friday," which can aid in memorization.

Another curiosity is that in Japan, some TV programs and special events are broadcasted on Fridays to take advantage of the relaxation mood. If you watch dramas or animes, you may notice that many new episodes are released on that day. This practice further reinforces the cultural importance of 金曜 in Japanese routine.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 金曜日 (kin'yōbi) - Day of the week that represents Friday

金曜

Romaji: kinyou
Kana: きんよう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Friday

Meaning in English: Friday

Definition: 【Friday】 Also called "Friday", it refers to the last day of the week.

Example Sentences - (金曜) kinyou

See below some example sentences:

金曜日には友達と遊びに行く予定です。

Kin'yōbi ni wa tomodachi to asobi ni iku yotei desu

I have plans to go out with friends on Friday.

I plan to go play with my friends on Friday.

• 金曜日 - Friday
• には - time indication, "on Friday"
• 友達 - friends
• と - particle that indicates company, "with"
• 遊びに行く - go to have fun
• 予定 - plan, schedule
• です - verb ser/estar in the present, "is/is"

私の時間割は毎週月曜日から金曜日までです。

Watashi no jikanwari wa maishuu getsuyoubi kara kin'youbi made desu

My schedule is Monday through Friday every Monday.

• 私の時間割 - "My schedule" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 毎週 - "Every week" in Japanese
• 月曜日 - "Monday" in Japanese
• から - "From" in Japanese
• 金曜日 - "Friday" in Japanese
• まで - "Until" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese