Translation guide
The period from Friday evening or Saturday to Sunday, typically a time for rest or leisure. In Japanese, the most common word is 週末 (shuumatsu), but there are also casual and written variants. The concept is similar to English, but note that Japanese often uses 土日 (donichi) to specifically refer to Saturday and Sunday as a pair.
Referring to the weekend as the end of the week, typically Saturday and Sunday.
The standard word for 'weekend'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese. Can refer to the entire period from Friday evening to Sunday, but most commonly means Saturday and Sunday.
What do you do on weekends?
Would you like to go see a movie this weekend?
Abbreviation of 土曜日 (Saturday) and 日曜日 (Sunday). Very common in casual conversation and schedules. Emphasizes the two days specifically, rather than the concept of 'weekend'.
I always spend Saturdays and Sundays with my family.
This job has Saturdays and Sundays off.
Loanword from English. Used in some contexts like travel or fashion, but can sound slightly stylish or written. Not as common as 週末 in daily speech.
I'm going on a trip over the weekend.
A weekend that includes a public holiday, making it three days or more.
Means consecutive holidays. Often used for a three-day weekend or longer break that includes a weekend. Not limited to weekends, but commonly used in that context.
This weekend is a three-day weekend.
Specifically a three-day weekend. Very common in conversation.
Emphasizing the weekend as a break or days off.
General word for 'holiday' or 'day off'. When combined with 週末, it clarifies the weekend as a rest period. Often used in phrases like 週末の休み.
I want to relax on my days off this weekend.
A common pattern to state that weekends are days off.
My company is closed on weekends.
週末 (shuumatsu) is the general term for 'weekend' and can include Friday evening. 土日 (donichi) specifically means Saturday and Sunday. Use 土日 when talking about schedules or days off that are exactly those two days. 週末 is more flexible and common in phrases like 'this weekend' (今週末).
I'm usually at home on weekends.
I have cram school on Saturdays and Sundays.
To say 'this weekend', use 今週末 (こんしゅうまつ). For 'next weekend', 来週末 (らいしゅうまつ). For 'last weekend', 先週末 (せんしゅうまつ). These are straightforward and commonly used.
I'll take advantage of the long weekend to travel.
What are you doing for the next three-day weekend?