バレンタイン
ばれんたいん
noun
Valentine's Day
1.
Valentine's Day
February 14th, celebrated in Japan primarily by women giving chocolate to men. Short for バレンタインデー.
バレンタインにチョコをもらった。
I received chocolate on Valentine's Day.
バレンタインの時期はチョコ売り場が混む。
The chocolate section gets crowded around Valentine's Day.
今年のバレンタインは手作りチョコに挑戦してみた。
This year I tried making handmade chocolate for Valentine's Day.
CULTURAL NOTES:
Japanese Valentine's Day differs from Western customs. Traditionally, women give chocolate to men. There are several types:
- 本命チョコ: chocolate for someone you have romantic feelings for
- 義理チョコ: obligatory chocolate for male coworkers, friends, etc.
- 友チョコ: chocolate exchanged between female friends
Men return the favor on ホワイトデー (三月十四日, March 14th).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- バレンタインデー: Valentine's Day (full form)
- バレンタインチョコ: Valentine's chocolate
- 手作りバレンタイン: handmade Valentine's chocolate