fijn weekend
/fɛi̯n ˈʋikɛnt/word by word
In Dutch, "have a nice weekend" is said as fijn weekend.
fijn weekend is a polite phrase used to wish someone a pleasant time during the coming weekend. It is most commonly used as a parting salutation on Fridays or Saturdays rather than as a greeting upon arrival.
Which one should you use?
While fijn weekend is a common shorthand, adding een to make it een fijn weekend makes the phrase sound more grammatically complete and slightly more formal. Another common way to say this is goed weekend, which is interchangeable with fijn weekend in most casual settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Dutch, the phrase fijn weekend is a shortened, elliptical form of Ik wens je een fijn weekend (I wish you a nice weekend).
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛi̯n ˈʋikɛnt/
When do people say it?
A common natural response to fijn weekend is jij ook (you too) or voor jou ook (for you too).
Did you know?
- The adjective fijn can also mean 'fine' in the sense of 'refined' or 'delicate', sharing a root with the English word 'fine' through French.
- While fijn weekend is the standard, some Dutch speakers use the phrase prettig weekend. This version is slightly more formal and is often preferred in professional emails.
- In the Netherlands, it is common to hear fijn weekend paired with a handshake in business settings, but in casual settings, it is often accompanied by a brief wave or a nod.
Examples in context
- Fijn weekend. Veel plezier met je familie!Have a nice weekend. Enjoy your time with your family!
- Ik wens je een fijn weekend.I wish you a nice weekend.
- Fijn weekend!Have a nice weekend!
- Zet hem op en een fijn weekend.Good luck and have a nice weekend.
Example conversation
Levi and Lisa are leaving the office on Friday afternoon.
- LeviTot maandag, Lisa. Fijn weekend!See you Monday, Lisa. Have a nice weekend!
- LisaDank je, Levi! Jij ook.Thank you, Levi! You too.
- LeviGa je iets leuks doen?Are you doing something fun?
- LisaJa, ik ga wandelen in het bos.Yes, I am going for a walk in the woods.
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.
