entre semana
/entɾe semana/from spelling rules
To say weekdays in Spanish, as in on weekdays, use entre semana. It refers to the working days from Monday to Friday.
entre semana works like an adverb, telling you when something happens, for example being busy or working during the week.
Meaning: On weekdays (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is made of entre, meaning between and semana, meaning week. Literally it says between week.
Which one should you use?
entre semana covers Monday through Friday, while el fin de semana means the weekend.
How does it change in a sentence?
entre semana is a fixed adverbial phrase. It does not take a plural ending, even though it refers to several days.
Did you know?
- The word semana is a linguistic relative of the English word 'september', as both trace their roots back to the Latin root for 'seven'.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the concept of entre semana can be ambiguous because the working week traditionally includes Saturday mornings.
- If you want to sound more like a local in Spain, you can use the phrase los días de diario to describe weekdays instead of entre semana.
Examples in context
- Siempre está ocupada entre semana.She is always busy on weekdays.Here entre semana tells us when she is always busy.Tatoeba #8095483 by baudelaire, translation #309733 by koineko
- No puedo ir al cine entre semana.I cannot go to the cinema on weekdays.
- El gimnasio está lleno entre semana.The gym is crowded on weekdays.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing their schedules.
- Lucía¿Quieres ir a cenar este jueves?Do you want to go out for dinner this Thursday?
- JavierNo puedo, trabajo mucho entre semana.I can't, I work a lot on weekdays.
- LucíaEntiendo, Javier. ¿Qué tal el sábado?I understand, Javier. How about Saturday?
- JavierEl sábado me parece perfecto.Saturday sounds perfect to me.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
