週 — Week, Weekly

Meaning

The kanji 週 (shuu) primarily represents 'week' or 'cycle.' This character effectively conveys its meaning through its visual components. It consists of two main parts: the radical ⻌ (shinnyou), which means 'road,' 'path,' or 'movement.' The other part is the phonetic component 兪 (yu). While 兪 provides the sound 'shuu,' it also suggests 'passing through' or 'completion.' When combined, these elements depict 'a cycle of movement' or 'a path that repeats over a fixed period.' Essentially, a week is a recurring seven-day cycle, a concept well-represented by this kanji.

Historically, the character illustrates the idea of traversing a path or completing a circuit, reflecting the cyclical nature of time units like a week. The ⻌ radical conveys a sense of progression, while the phonetic component 兪 (yu) indicates completion or passage. This kanji has 11 strokes, giving it a balanced and clear form. It is categorized as a Grade 2 kanji, introduced to students in the second year of Japanese elementary school. This makes it a foundational character for beginners in Japanese language study.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 週 is シュウ (shuu). This reading is almost exclusively used when 週 forms part of a compound word, reflecting its sound when borrowed from Chinese. Learning this On'yomi is essential for understanding how 週 functions in many common Japanese words related to time periods and cycles.

毎週まいしゅう (maishuu) — This compound means 'every week.' It's formed by combining 毎 (mai, 'every') and 週 (shuu, 'week'). For example, 毎週まいしゅう日本語を勉強します。 (Maishuu Nihongo o benkyō shimasu.) — 'I study Japanese every week.'
週末しゅうまつ (shuumatsu) — Meaning 'weekend,' this word combines 週 (shuu, 'week') and 末 (matsu, 'end'). It's a widely used term for the end of the work week. For instance, 週末しゅうまつは何をしますか？ (Shuumatsu wa nani o shimasu ka?) — 'What are you doing on the weekend?'
今週こんしゅう (konshuu) — This means 'this week,' formed by 今 (kon, 'now' or 'this') and 週 (shuu, 'week'). An example would be 今週こんしゅうは忙しいです。 (Konshuu wa isogashii desu.) — 'I am busy this week.'
来週らいしゅう (raishuu) — Meaning 'next week,' this compound uses 来 (rai, 'next' or 'coming') and 週 (shuu, 'week'). For example, 来週らいしゅう旅行に行きます。 (Raishuu ryokō ni ikimasu.) — 'I will go on a trip next week.'

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

Unlike many kanji, 週 does not have a common or standalone Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading). It is almost exclusively used with other kanji in compounds, where its On'yomi reading シュウ (shuu) is applied. This shows its specialized role, mainly as a component for expressing concepts related to 'week' or 'cycle' within compound words.

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 週 appears in many Japanese words related to time, frequency, and cycles. Knowing these compounds is key for daily conversation and reading.

Time Periods:
一週間いっしゅうかん (isshuukan) — one week (literally 'one week's interval')
二週目にしゅうめ (nishuu-me) — second week
先週せんしゅう (senshuu) — last week
再来週さらいしゅう (saraishuu) — week after next
毎週まいしゅう (maishuu) — every week, weekly
隔週かくしゅう (kakushuu) — every other week, bi-weekly
週休しゅうきゅう (shuukyuu) — weekly holiday
Events & Cycles:
週刊しゅうかん (shuukan) — weekly publication (e.g., magazine, newspaper)
周期しゅうき (shuuki) — cycle, period (e.g., in science, menstruation)
週齢しゅうれい (shuurei) — age in weeks (often used for infants or animals)
週年しゅうねん (shuunen) — anniversary (a full year cycle)
週報しゅうほう (shuuhou) — weekly report

Example Sentences

今週こんしゅうの天気てんきは晴はれです。

Konshuu no tenki wa hare desu.

This week's weather is sunny.

毎週まいしゅう日曜日にちようびに家族かぞくと会あいます。

Maishuu nichiyōbi ni kazoku to aimasu.

I meet my family every Sunday.

先週せんしゅう、新あたらしい本ほんを読よみました。

Senshuu, atarashii hon o yomimashita.

I read a new book last week.

来週らいしゅうから旅行りょこうに行いきます。

Raishuu kara ryokō ni ikimasu.

I will go on a trip starting next week.

週末しゅうまつは家いえでゆっくりしました。

Shuumatsu wa ie de yukkuri shimashita.

I relaxed at home on the weekend.

彼かれは隔週かくしゅうで出張しゅっちょうがあります。

Kare wa kakushuu de shucchō ga arimasu.

He has business trips every other week.

週刊誌しゅうかんしを買かって読よみました。

Shuukanshi o katte yomimashita.

I bought and read a weekly magazine.

来週らいしゅうの月曜日げつようびまでにレポートを提出ていしゅつしてください。

Raishuu no getsuyōbi made ni repōto o teishutsu shite kudasai.

Please submit the report by next Monday.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember 週, think of the radical ⻌ (shinnyou) as a winding road or a path, symbolizing movement through time. The inner phonetic component, 兪 (yu), gives the sound 'shuu' and also implies 'passing through' or 'completion.' Imagine traveling along a road (⻌) and completing a cycle (hinted by 兪), signifying that a 'week' has passed. So, 週 visually depicts a continuous journey that completes a circuit, representing a week's duration.