Sonntag
/ˈzɔntaːk/masculine
The German word for Sunday is Sonntag.
Sonntag is a masculine noun used to refer to the day of the week.
Meaning: day of the week (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use am Sonntag to refer to one specific Sunday, such as a particular upcoming or past date. In contrast, use the adverbial form sonntags to describe something that happens habitually every Sunday.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
For the plural form of the noun, use Sonntage. You can also create an adverb by adding an -s to the end of the word to form sonntags, which means 'on Sundays' or 'every Sunday'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɔntaːk/
Did you know?
- In Germany, Sonntag is legally protected by the Sonntagsruhe or 'Sunday rest'. Many shops and supermarkets are required by law to stay closed to ensure a day of relaxation.
- The word Sonntag is a direct translation of the Latin diēs Sōlis, meaning 'day of the sun'.
- While Sonntag refers to the calendar day, the phrase Sonntagsbraten refers to a traditional roast dinner. This meal is a cultural staple that defines the family gathering aspect of the day.
Examples in context
- Was machst du sonntags?What do you do on Sunday?This example shows how to use the adverbial form sonntags to ask about habitual Sunday activities.Tatoeba #606135 by Dejo, translation #69056 by CK
- Es regnet seit Sonntag.It has been raining since Sunday.This sentence uses the noun Sonntag to indicate a starting point in time.Tatoeba #639175 by BraveSentry, translation #281825 by CK
- Ich arbeite am Sonntag.I work on Sunday.This sentence demonstrates using the contraction am with the noun Sonntag to refer to a specific day.Tatoeba #1990130 by Manfredo, translation #1770361 by Amastan
- Heute ist Sonntag.Today is Sunday.
- Nein, ich kann nicht. Morgen ist Sonntag, und die Geschäfte sind geschlossen.No, I can't. Tomorrow is Sunday, and the shops are closed.
- Was möchtest du am Sonntag machen?What would you like to do on Sunday?
- 438 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are planning their weekend in a cafe.
- MaximilianHast du am Sonntag Zeit?Do you have time on Sunday?
- JuliaJa, der Sonntag passt mir gut.Yes, Sunday works well for me.
- MaximilianWollen wir spazieren gehen?Do we want to go for a walk?
- JuliaDas ist eine super Idee!That is a great idea!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “Sunday” translations and entries Sonntag, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sonntag, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
