Bonjour! If you’re eager to learn how to say the days of the week in French, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to impress your Francophone friends or simply enhance your language skills, this guide will provide you with the formal and informal ways to express the seven days of the week in French. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions for the Week
Formal expressions are typically used in official and professional settings. Here are the formal ways to say the days of the week in French:
- Lundi (Monday): This word comes from the Latin word “lunae dies,” meaning “day of the moon,” referencing the Moon as a celestial body.
- Mardi (Tuesday): Derived from the Latin “Martis dies,” this term originally referred to the day dedicated to the Roman god Mars.
- Mercredi (Wednesday): This day honors the Roman god Mercurius (Mercury), associated with communication and commerce.
- Jeudi (Thursday): Named after the Roman god Jovis (Jupiter), this day symbolized power and leadership.
- Vendredi (Friday): Originating from the Latin “veneris dies,” it signifies the day dedicated to the goddess Venus, representing love and beauty.
- Samedi (Saturday): Derived from the Hebrew word “Shabbat,” meaning “day of rest,” this term is used due to the biblical importance of Saturday as a day of worship.
- Dimanche (Sunday): This word finds its roots in the Latin “Dies Dominicus,” meaning “day of the Lord” and signifies the Christian day of worship.
Informal and colloquial expressions for the week
Informal expressions are commonly used in casual conversations or among friends. Here are some informal ways to refer to the days of the week in French:
- Lundi: In colloquial French, some people use the abbreviated form “Lun.” You might hear someone say, “On se voit lund’?” which means “See you on Monday?”
- Mardi: Informally, you may sometimes come across the shortened version “Mar.” For instance, someone might say, “J’ai rendez-vous chez le dentiste demain, Mar.” meaning “I have a dentist appointment tomorrow, Tue.”
- Mercredi: In informal speech, “Mer” is a common abbreviation for Wednesday. For example, you might hear, “Allons prendre un café Mer?” which translates to “Shall we go for a coffee on Wed?”
- Jeudi: Informally, “Jeu” can be used as a shortened form for Thursday. You may hear someone say, “Je suis libre Jeu soir,” meaning “I’m free on Thu evening.”
- Vendredi: Some people informally use the abbreviation “Ven” for Friday. For instance, someone might say, “On va à la fête Ven?” which means “Are we going to the party on Fri?”
- Samedi: In casual conversations, “Sam” is commonly used as a shortened form for Saturday. For example, you may hear someone say, “T’as prévu quoi Sam?” which translates to “What are your plans for Sat?”
- Dimanche: Informally, you might come across the abbreviation “Dim” to refer to Sunday. Someone could say, “Je suis occupé ce Dim,” meaning “I’m busy this Sun.”
Regional Variations
While the above expressions are widely used throughout the French-speaking world, it’s worth noting that regional variations exist. Here are a few notable examples:
Semaine du lundi / semaine du dimanche: In some regions, particularly in parts of Canada, you might hear the expression “semaine du lundi” or “semaine du dimanche,” which refers to starting the week on Monday or Sunday, respectively. This can vary from the traditional French way of starting the week on Monday.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed our comprehensive guide on how to say the days of the week in French. You are now equipped with both formal and informal expressions for each day. Remember to consider regional variations when interacting with French speakers, but rest assured that the previously mentioned expressions are widely understood. Practice these phrases in real conversations, and your French will surely shine! Bonne chance!
