バレンタインデー
ばれんたいんでー
noun
Valentine's Day
1.
Valentine's Day
February 14th, a day for expressing romantic feelings, observed in Japan primarily by women giving chocolate to men
バレンタインデーにチョコをもらった。
I received chocolate on Valentine's Day.
バレンタインデーに手作りチョコを渡すつもりだ。
I plan to give handmade chocolate on Valentine's Day.
バレンタインデーが近づくと、デパートの特設コーナーにチョコレートが並ぶ。
As Valentine's Day approaches, chocolates line the special displays at department stores.
A loanword from English. In Japan, Valentine's Day has a distinctive custom: women give chocolate to men, not the other way around. Men reciprocate one month later on ホワイトデー (March 14th).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- バレンタインデーのチョコ: Valentine's Day chocolate
- 義理チョコ: obligation chocolate (given to male coworkers, friends)
- 本命チョコ: true-feelings chocolate (given to a romantic interest)
- 友チョコ: friend chocolate (exchanged between female friends)
- 手作りチョコ: handmade chocolate
CULTURAL NOTE:
The Japanese chocolate industry heavily promoted Valentine's Day starting in the 1950s-60s, establishing the tradition of women giving chocolate. The types of chocolate given carry social significance: 本命チョコ indicates genuine romantic interest, while 義理チョコ is a social obligation in workplaces. In recent years, 友チョコ (exchanging chocolate among friends) has become popular among younger women.
RELATED:
- ホワイトデー: White Day (March 14th) — when men give return gifts