vendredi saint
/vɑ̃.dʁə.di sɛ̃/masculine
The English phrase 'good Friday' is translated into French as vendredi saint.
vendredi saint refers to the Friday before Easter Sunday, which commemorates the day Christ was crucified. While English speakers use the word 'good', French speakers use the word 'saint' (holy) to denote the religious significance of the day.
Meaning: The Friday before Easter Sunday, the commemoration of the day on which Christ was crucified (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term vendredi saint literally translates to 'holy Friday'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the specific holiday, the noun is used with the masculine definite article le, appearing as le Vendredi saint.
How do you pronounce it?
/vɑ̃.dʁə.di sɛ̃/
Did you know?
- The word vendredi is derived from the Latin phrase for 'day of Venus', the Roman goddess of love.
- In some French-speaking regions, the sobriety of vendredi saint is marked by the total absence of bells ringing in church towers until Easter Sunday.
- Even though the day is called vendredi saint, it is not capitalized as a proper noun in many French style guides unless it starts a sentence. You will often see it written as le vendredi saint rather than le Vendredi Saint.
Examples in context
- Tu ne peux pas chanter et danser le Vendredi saint.You can't sing and dance on Good Friday.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use vendredi saint in a sentence regarding activities one cannot do on that day.Tatoeba #4024292 by mervert1, translation #4022819 by mervert1
- Nous célébrons le Vendredi Saint avec une messe spéciale.We celebrate Good Friday with a special mass.
- Le Vendredi Saint est une journée de jeûne et de prière.Good Friday is a day of fasting and prayer.
- Que vas-tu faire ce vendredi saint ?What are you doing this Good Friday?
- Le Vendredi saint est un jour calme.Good Friday is a quiet day.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing their holiday plans.
- EmmaTu as des projets pour le Vendredi saint ?Do you have plans for Good Friday?
- HugoNon, je reste tranquillement à la maison.No, I am staying quietly at home.
- EmmaMoi, je vais voir ma famille.As for me, I am going to see my family.
- HugoC'est une bonne idée, Emma.That is a good idea, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good Friday” translations and entries vendredi saint, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries saint, vendredi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
