fijn weekend
/fɛi̯n ˈʋikɛnt/word by word
The Dutch phrase for 'good weekend' is fijn weekend.
This phrase is used to wish someone a pleasant time during the weekend.
Which one should you use?
While goed weekend is grammatically possible, the idiomatic way to express this sentiment in Dutch is to use fijn weekend.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is often used as an elliptical expression, meaning the article een (a) is frequently omitted in casual speech.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛi̯n ˈʋikɛnt/
When do people say it?
When someone wishes you a fijn weekend, a common response is Jij ook! (You too!). In more formal settings, you can respond with Insgelijks (Likewise).
Did you know?
- In the Netherlands, the Friday afternoon is the peak time for saying fijn weekend, often accompanied by a ritual of 'borrelen' or having social drinks with colleagues.
- The root of fijn comes from the Latin word 'finis', meaning 'end' or 'limit', which originally implied something 'refined' or 'finished'.
- If you say fijn weekend to a Dutch person on a Saturday, they may look at you strangely because the phrase is primarily used as a parting wish on Friday.
Examples in context
- Een fijn weekend!Have a good weekend!This sentence is useful for seeing how to say 'Have a good weekend!' using fijn weekend.Tatoeba #8810571 by Micsmithel, translation #30070 by CK
- Ik wens u een goed weekend toe.I wish you a good weekend.
- Een fijn weekend toegewenst!Wishing you a fine weekend!
- Fijn weekend!Have a nice weekend!
- Geniet van je weekend.Enjoy your weekend.
- Lekker weekend!Have a great weekend!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daan and Julia are leaving the office on a Friday afternoon.
- DaanTot maandag, Julia!See you Monday, Julia!
- JuliaTot maandag, Daan. Fijn weekend!See you Monday, Daan. Have a good weekend!
- DaanDank je, jij ook!Thanks, you too!
- JuliaDoei!Bye!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (fijn, weekend) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fijn, weekend, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
