el fin de semana
/el fin de semana/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "on the weekend" is el fin de semana.
This phrase is used to describe something that happens during the Saturday and Sunday of a week.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase el fin de semana literally translates to "the end of the week".
Which one should you use?
While el fin de semana is the standard form, you may encounter other versions depending on the context. En el finde and el finde are colloquial versions. For more formal contexts, you can use durante el fin de semana, en el transcurso del fin de semana or a lo largo del fin de semana, which implies something happening throughout the weekend.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The shortened form el finde is common in many Spanish-speaking countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to express that something happens habitually on weekends, use the plural form los fines de semana.
How do you pronounce it?
/el fin de semana/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of el fin de semana can be extended to include Friday evening, effectively making it a three-day mental break.
- The word semana is actually a mathematical cousin of the English word 'seventh', because it originates from the Latin word for 'relating to the seventh element of a series'.
- While el fin de semana denotes the end of the week, in many Latin American countries, the most important social activities happen on Sunday, which is traditionally reserved for family gatherings.
Examples in context
- Iré a Barcelona el fin de semana.I will go to Barcelona on the weekend.This sentence uses el fin de semana to describe a future trip to Barcelona.Tatoeba #6457552 by diegohn, translation #6457550 by diegohn
- ¿Le gustaría cenar con nosotros el fin de semana?Would you like to have supper with us on the weekend?This sentence uses el fin de semana to invite someone to supper.Tatoeba #1513941 by marcelostockle, translation #266435 by darinmex
- La gente a menudo miente acerca de lo que hicieron el fin de semana para que sus amigos no se den cuenta de lo aburridos que en realidad son.People often lie about what they did on the weekend, so their friends won't realize how boring they really are.This sentence uses el fin de semana to describe things people do during their time off.Tatoeba #1366028 by marcelostockle, translation #954234 by CK
- Durante el fin de semana, descansaré y pasaré tiempo con mi familia.During the weekend, I will relax and spend time with my family.
- En el transcurso del fin de semana, asistiré a una conferencia importante.Over the course of the weekend, I will attend an important conference.
- A lo largo del fin de semana, analizaré los informes y prepararé el informe final.Throughout the weekend, I will analyze the reports and prepare the final report.
- ¿Qué vas a hacer en el finde?What are you going to do on the weekend?
- Vamos a ir al cine el fin de semana.We're going to the movies on the weekend.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing their upcoming plans.
- Mateo¿Qué vas a hacer el fin de semana?What are you going to do on the weekend?
- MaríaVoy a visitar a mi familia.I am going to visit my family.
- Mateo¡Qué bien! Yo descansaré en casa.That's great! I will rest at home.
- MaríaDisfruta mucho tu tiempo libre.Enjoy your free time a lot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, el, fin, semana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
