Wochenende
/ˈvɔxənˌɛndə/neuter
The German word for weekend is Wochenende.
Wochenende is used to refer to the break in the working week. For example, you can use the phrase Das Wochenende genießen to mean 'Enjoy the weekend'.
Meaning: break in the working week (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Woche, meaning 'week' and Ende, meaning 'end'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Wochenende is a neuter noun, so it takes the definite article das when saying 'the weekend'. When you want to say 'on the weekend' or 'at the weekend', use the prepositional phrase am Wochenende.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvɔxənˌɛndə/
When do people say it?
When leaving work or a social gathering, it is very common to wish someone a good weekend by saying Schönes Wochenende!
Did you know?
- German borrowed the concept of a 'weekend' from the English 'weekend' in the 19th century.
- In Germany, the Wochenende is often strictly separated from the 'work week' by a cultural emphasis on 'Feierabend', the moment one stops working for the day.
- The 'n' in Wochenende is a 'Fugenlaut', a connecting element used to join two nouns together more smoothly in German.
Examples in context
- Wie war Ihr Wochenende?How was your weekend?This sentence shows how to ask how someone's Wochenende was.Tatoeba #1315714 by al_ex_an_der, translation #466007 by CK
- Genießt du das Wochenende?Are you enjoying your weekend?This sentence asks if someone is enjoying their Wochenende.Tatoeba #5192574 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5191997 by NatsuDonkey
- Freude! Es ist Wochenende!Woo hoo! It's the weekend!This sentence is an exclamation used to celebrate that it is Wochenende!Tatoeba #7010280 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7010170 by Hybrid
- Einen schönen Start ins Wochenende!Have a nice start to the weekend!
- Freuen Sie sich auf das kommende Wochenende am Samstag und Sonntag.Look forward to the upcoming weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
- Wir treffen uns am Wochenende.We're meeting up on the weekend.
- Hast du schon Wochenendpläne?Do you already have weekend plans?
- Ich wünsche dir ein schönes Wochenende! Genieße es.I wish you a lovely weekend! Enjoy it.
- 617 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix are talking about their plans for the upcoming break.
- SarahHast du am Wochenende Zeit?Do you have time at the weekend?
- FelixJa, ich habe am Wochenende frei.Yes, I am free at the weekend.
- SarahWollen wir etwas unternehmen?Do you want to do something?
- FelixGerne, das klingt gut.Gladly, that sounds good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weekend” translations and entries Wochenende, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Wochenende, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
