What does it mean word for word?
The phrase schönes Wochenende literally translates to "beautiful weekend".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual, everyday settings, the most common way to say this is by dropping the verb and using just Schönes Wochenende! For more formal situations, you can use Ich wünsche Ihnen ein schönes Wochenende! (I wish you a nice weekend!) or Genießen Sie das Wochenende! (Enjoy the weekend!). If you are speaking informally to someone, you might use Hab ein tolles Wochenende! (Have a fantastic weekend!).
How does it change in a sentence?
When used within a full sentence, such as Ich wünsche dir ein schönes Wochenende, the phrase takes the accusative case: ein schönes Wochenende.
When do people say it?
A common response to Schönes Wochenende is Dir auch! (to you too!) or Ihnen auch! (to you too! – formal).
Did you know?
- The phrase schönes Wochenende is so ubiquitous in German-speaking offices that it often serves as a functional 'verbal exit sign' to signal that the conversation is officially over.
- The word Wochenende is a relatively modern addition to the German language. It was modeled after the English 'weekend' and only became common usage around 1920.
- If you are in a rush, you can shorten the response Dir auch! to just Gleichfalls!, which literally means 'likewise' and works in both formal and informal settings.
Examples in context
- Ich wünsche allen ein schönes Wochenende.Have a great weekend, everybody.This sentence is useful for practicing how to wish everybody a nice weekend using schönes Wochenende.Tatoeba #3924678 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3924479 by CK
- Schönes Wochenende!Have a great weekend.This sentence shows the short, common way to say schönes Wochenende.Tatoeba #744462 by samueldora, translation #1142869 by CM
- Guten Tag! Ich wünsche Ihnen ein schönes Wochenende!Good day! I wish you a nice weekend!
- Hey! Schönes Wochenende!Hey! Have a nice weekend!
- Danke! Dir auch ein tolles Wochenende!Thank you! Have a fantastic weekend too!
- Ich wünsche dir ein schönes Wochenende!I wish you a great weekend!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are leaving the office on Friday afternoon.
- SarahIch gehe jetzt. Schönes Wochenende, Lukas!I'm leaving now. Have a great weekend, Lukas!
- LukasDanke, Sarah! Ebenfalls ein schönes Wochenende.Thanks, Sarah! Have a great weekend as well.
- SarahBis Montag dann!See you Monday then!
- LukasBis Montag, tschüss!See you Monday, bye!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Wochenende, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
