How to Say ‘How was your weekend?’ in Japanese
週末はどうでしたか。
shuumatsu wa dou deshi ta ka
[SHOO-mah-tsoo wah dou DEH-shee tah kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the standard Monday or end-of-week icebreaker with coworkers, and a short answer plus asking it back is all that's expected.
Phrase Breakdown
週末は
shuumatsu wa
the weekend
Stretch 'shuu' in shuumatsu. は is read 'wa'.
週末は忙しいです。
I'm busy on weekends.
Words in this phrase
週末
shuumatsu
[SHOO-mah-tsoo]
weekend
Saturday and Sunday; the end of the week.
週末は暇です。
I'm free on the weekend.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker
は marks the topic of the sentence.
空席はありますか。
Are there any seats available?
どうでしたか。
dou deshi ta ka
how was it?
A friendly, common question on Monday mornings.
休みはどうでしたか。
How was your holiday?
Words in this phrase
どう
dou
[dou]
how
Interrogative pro-adverb used to ask about manner or state.
どうしたらいいですか？
What should I do?
でし
deshi
[DEH-shee]
was (polite copula stem)
Stem of the polite copula です in its past form, combined with た to make でした.
昨日は雨でした。
It was rainy yesterday.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense ending
This ending completes the polite past tense form.
空席がございまし た。
There were vacant seats.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Lessons for Your Situation
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”
James O., 28, Remote Worker
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager