What is the difference between 日曜日【にちようび】and 日曜【にちよう】?


In all the japanese learning books, they teach you that xxxday ends with 曜日.

But sometimes I get to see xxx曜 only without the "Day" Kanji.

Can I shorten it when speaking too or is it only written ? And when can I
shorten it ?




It is not clear cut, but my impression is that the tendency is that 日曜日 means
a particular day that is Sunday whereas 日曜 means Sunday in general or series
of Sundays.

> 日曜日に出掛けます。  
>  'I will go out on next Sunday.'
>
> 日曜に出掛けます。  
>  'I go out on Sundays.'

When it is clear that it is not about a particular day but is about a series
of days, this contrast becomes clear.

> * 日曜日洋画劇場
>
> 日曜洋画劇場




It is not clear cut, but my impression is that the tendency is that 日曜日 means
a particular day that is Sunday whereas 日曜 means Sunday in general or series
of Sundays.

> 日曜日に出掛けます。  
>  'I will go out on next Sunday.'
>
> 日曜に出掛けます。  
>  'I go out on Sundays.'

When it is clear that it is not about a particular day but is about a series
of days, this contrast becomes clear.

> * 日曜日洋画劇場
>
> 日曜洋画劇場

