Greetings! If you’re looking to expand your French vocabulary, it’s essential to know how to express different days of the week. In this guide, we will focus on learning how to say “on Saturday” in French. We’ll cover various formal and informal ways to express this phrase, along with some helpful tips, examples, and even a few regional variations. So, let’s dive in and expand your linguistic repertoire!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “On Saturday”
When it comes to formal language, there are a few expressions commonly used in French to convey “on Saturday.” Here are three options you can use:
- Le samedi – This is the most straightforward and commonly used way to say “on Saturday” in formal French. Le samedi translates directly to “on Saturday” and is widely accepted in all French-speaking regions.
- Le jour du samedi – If you want to emphasize that you are referring to the day specifically, you can use this expression. It literally means “the day of Saturday” and is a more formal and descriptive way to express “on Saturday.”
- Pendant la journée de samedi – This phrase literally translates to “during the day of Saturday.” It is a more formal choice, suitable for specific contexts where you want to convey a sense of time span or duration.
Remember that these formal expressions are generally used in written and professional settings.
2. Informal Ways to Say “On Saturday”
Now let’s explore some more informal ways to talk about “on Saturday” in French. These expressions are commonly used in everyday conversations:
- Samedi – In informal situations, it’s typical to drop the article “le” and use “samedi” alone to say “on Saturday.” This shortened version is widely understood throughout the French-speaking world and commonly used in spoken language.
- Ce samedi – Adding the demonstrative pronoun “ce” before “samedi” means “this Saturday.” It is an informal way to refer specifically to the upcoming or current Saturday. This expression is often used in casual conversations among friends or family.
- Samedi prochain – If you want to say “next Saturday” in a more informal manner, “samedi prochain” is the way to go. The word “prochain” means “next” and is often used to express future events in an informal context.
3. Tips and Examples
To help you better understand the usage of these expressions, here are a few tips and examples:
Tip: When using “samedi” alone in spoken language, it can sometimes be accompanied by a specific verb without the need for prepositions, such as “faire” (to do/make): “Samedi, on fait une randonnée” (On Saturday, we’re going hiking).
Now, let’s dive into some examples:
- Je vais à la plage le samedi. (I go to the beach on Saturday.)
- Trouvons un restaurant ce samedi soir. (Let’s find a restaurant this Saturday evening.)
- Nous irons faire du shopping ce samedi. (We will go shopping this Saturday.)
- Organisons une fête le jour du samedi. (Let’s organize a party on the day of Saturday.)
- Je travaille pendant la journée de samedi. (I work during the day of Saturday.)
- Partons explorer la ville samedi prochain. (Let’s go explore the city next Saturday.)
4. Regional Variations
French is spoken across various regions, and sometimes you might come across regional variations when referring to “on Saturday.” However, it’s crucial to note that such variations are not widespread and may be limited to specific dialects or accents. The expressions we discussed earlier should be sufficient for most French-speaking situations.
To ensure you’re well-prepared, here’s an example of a regional variation:
Note: In Quebec, Canada, you might encounter the expression “la journée du samedi” as a regional variant for “le jour du samedi.” The change is in the article “le” becoming “la” and is specific to Quebec French.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned several ways to express “on Saturday” in French, both formally and informally. Remember to adapt your choice based on the level of formality required, be it in a professional or everyday setting. Feel free to practice these phrases and expand your French language skills.
Keep up the great work, and continue embracing the joys of language learning! Bonne chance (Good luck)!
