Learning the days of the week in French is one of the first steps many people take when starting their journey into the French language. Whether you’re preparing for travel, school, or just looking to expand your multilingual vocabulary, knowing how to say and understand the days of the week in French will help you communicate more naturally. In this topic, we’ll explore each day of the week, how to pronounce them, and how they are commonly used in everyday French conversation.
Introduction to the Days of the Week in French
In French, the days of the week are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence. This differs from English, where capitalization is always required. Each day also has roots in Latin, and many are named after celestial bodies or mythological figures, much like their English counterparts.
List of the Days of the Week in French
- Lundi Monday
- Mardi Tuesday
- Mercredi Wednesday
- Jeudi Thursday
- Vendredi Friday
- Samedi Saturday
- Dimanche Sunday
Breakdown of Each Day
Lundi (Monday)
Lundi is derived from the Latin word ‘luna,’ meaning moon. It is the first day of the week in many European calendars and is often associated with the return to work or school. In conversation, you might hear, ‘Je commence mon travail lundi matin’ (I start my work on Monday morning).
Mardi (Tuesday)
Mardi comes from the Latin ‘Mars dies,’ meaning ‘day of Mars,’ the Roman god of war. This association is shared with other Romance languages like Spanish and Italian. A common phrase might be, ‘Le cours de français est mardi soir’ (The French class is on Tuesday evening).
Mercredi (Wednesday)
This day is named after Mercury, or ‘Mercurii dies’ in Latin. Mercury was the messenger of the gods. In French, Wednesday is a mid-week marker and is often a half-day for school children. For example: ‘Les enfants n’ont pas d’école mercredi après-midi’ (Children don’t have school on Wednesday afternoon).
Jeudi (Thursday)
Jeudi is named after Jupiter, known as ‘Jovis dies’ in Latin. Jupiter was the king of the Roman gods. This day is typically associated with the latter part of the work week, and people often say: ‘Jeudi, on prépare déjà le week-end’ (On Thursday, we already start preparing for the weekend).
Vendredi (Friday)
Vendredi originates from ‘Veneris dies,’ or the day of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. In France and many French-speaking cultures, Friday is special as it marks the end of the traditional work week. ‘Vendredi soir, on sort entre amis’ (Friday night, we go out with friends).
Samedi (Saturday)
The name comes from the Latin ‘Sabbatum,’ meaning Sabbath. It is a day of rest and leisure in many cultures. In French, it’s a popular day for markets and family gatherings. ‘Samedi, je vais au marché’ (On Saturday, I go to the market).
Dimanche (Sunday)
Dimanche is derived from the Latin ‘dies Dominica,’ meaning the Lord’s day. Traditionally a day of rest and worship, it’s still considered quiet and peaceful in many French communities. ‘Dimanche est un jour pour se détendre’ (Sunday is a day to relax).
Useful Expressions Involving Days of the Week
To use the days of the week in daily conversation, it’s helpful to understand a few common expressions and sentence structures.
- ‘Tous les lundis’ Every Monday
- ‘Le vendredi prochain’ Next Friday
- ‘Je travaille du lundi au vendredi’ I work from Monday to Friday
- ‘On se voit mardi?’ Shall we see each other on Tuesday?
- ‘Dimanche dernier, il a plu’ Last Sunday, it rained
Grammar Tips
In French, days of the week are masculine nouns. You typically don’t need an topic when talking about one occurrence of an event (e.g., ‘Lundi, j’ai un rendez-vous’). However, when speaking about something that happens repeatedly on that day, use the topic ‘le’ (e.g., ‘Le lundi, je vais à la gym’).
Fun Facts About the French Week
Why French Children Love Wednesdays
Traditionally, French primary school children do not have class on Wednesday afternoons. This time is often used for sports, music lessons, or spending time with family. It’s a well-loved part of the week for young students.
The Role of Sundays in French Culture
In France, most shops and businesses are closed on Sundays to honor rest and family time. It’s a tradition that reflects the country’s cultural and religious heritage. Sunday lunches are often long and cherished meals with extended family.
French Idioms Using Days of the Week
- ‘Ãtre lundi toute la semaine’ To have bad luck all week
- ‘Remettre à mardi’ To postpone indefinitely (equivalent to putting off until never)
- ‘Entre chien et loup un mercredi soir’ A poetic way to describe twilight on a Wednesday
Practice Makes Perfect
To really master the days of the week in French, try incorporating them into your daily routine. Practice writing short sentences, repeat them aloud, or label your calendar in French. Apps, flashcards, and language exchange partners can help reinforce your memory.
Sample Practice Sentences
- ‘Je vais à la bibliothèque lundi.’
- ‘Mardi, nous avons une réunion importante.’
- ‘Mercredi, je fais du sport avec mon frère.’
- ‘Jeudi, c’est le jour de mon cours de cuisine.’
- ‘Vendredi, je dîne avec mes collègues.’
- ‘Samedi, je fais les courses au supermarché.’
- ‘Dimanche, je me repose à la maison.’
Mastering the days of the week in French lundi, mardi, mercredi, jeudi, vendredi, samedi, and dimanche is a fundamental step in becoming more fluent. Beyond vocabulary, it connects you to French culture, traditions, and everyday communication. The more you use these words in your routine, the more naturally they will become part of your language skills. Whether you’re a beginner or brushing up your knowledge, knowing the ‘jours de la semaine’ will certainly enrich your French-speaking experience.