What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of buon (good), fine (end) and settimana (week), literally translating to "good end week".
Which one should you use?
In modern, informal Italian, it is very common to use the English loanword 'weekend' instead of 'fine settimana', resulting in the phrase buon weekend.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective buon is the truncated form of buono used before a masculine noun starting with a consonant or certain other sounds to facilitate pronunciation. To use the phrase as a command or wish, you can add the verb passare (to spend/pass) in the imperative mood. You would use the singular informal form Passa un buon fine settimana when speaking to one person, or the second-person plural form Passate un buon fine settimana when addressing a group. For a formal phrase, you can use the subjunctive form of the verb avere in the phrase Spero abbia un buon fine settimana! (I hope you have a good weekend!).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈbwɔn ˈfi.ne set.tiˈma.na/. The word has 6 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word settimana is derived from the Latin word for 'seventh', reflecting the ancient practice of counting days in a seven day cycle.
- In Italy, the 'weekend' traditionally begins on Friday evening, meaning you can start saying buon fine settimana as early as Friday afternoon.
- The verb passare used in these wishes doesn't just mean 'to spend time', but literally means 'to pass', treating the weekend as something the person moves through.
Examples in context
- Passa un buon fine settimana!Have a good weekend!This example shows how to use the phrase as a singular informal wish.Tatoeba #387483 by Pharamp, translation #30070 by CK
- Ha passato un buon fine settimana?Did you have a good weekend?This example demonstrates how to ask if someone had a good weekend in the past.Tatoeba #2005088 by Guybrush88, translation #21296 by adjusting
- Passate tutti un buon fine settimana.Have a good weekend, everyone.This example shows how to address a group of people using the plural form.Tatoeba #2809086 by Guybrush88, translation #2809083 by patgfisher
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are leaving the office on a Friday afternoon.
- LorenzoCiao Sofia, ci vediamo lunedì!Bye Sofia, see you on Monday!
- SofiaVa bene, buon fine settimana anche a te, Lorenzo!Okay, have a good weekend too, Lorenzo!
- LorenzoGrazie, anche a te!Thanks, you too!
- SofiaA presto!See you soon!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (buon, fine, settimana) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fine, settimana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
