バレンタインデー

ばれんたいんでー
noun
Valentine's Day
culturetime-general
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(てづく)りチョコを渡(わた)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(ちか)づくと、デパートの特設(とくせつ)コーナーにチョコレートが並(なら)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(ぎり)チョコ: obligation chocolate (given to male coworkers, friends)
  • 本命(ほんめい)チョコ: true-feelings chocolate (given to a romantic interest)
  • 友(とも)チョコ: friend chocolate (exchanged between female friends)
  • 手作(てづく)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(ほんめい)チョコ indicates genuine romantic interest, while 義理(ぎり)チョコ is a social obligation in workplaces. In recent years, 友(とも)チョコ (exchanging chocolate among friends) has become popular among younger women.

Related words

Related Words

Related: ホワイトデー (White Day)
general
Added 2026.4.24 22:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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