The seven days of the week in French are: lundi, mardi, mercredi, jeudi, vendredi, samedi, and dimanche. Mastering the French language requires a solid foundation in everyday vocabulary. From scheduling appointments to simply navigating your calendar, familiarity with these words is essential. This guide will provide you with the names of the days in French and delve into their correct pronunciation and practical usage in everyday conversations, ensuring you can confidently use them in your daily life.
Table of Contents
There are 7 days in the week that have different pronunciations in different languages. Likewise, learning French days of the week is important to increase your job prospects in international business, law, and politics. So, the seven days in the French week are:
The French days of the week start on Monday and end on Sunday. Here, you will read the translation of the days from English to French and their proper pronunciation.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | lundi | luhn-DEE |
| Tuesday | mardi | mahr-DEE |
| Wednesday | mercredi | MEHR-kruh-DEE |
| Thursday | jeudi | zheu-DEE |
| Friday | vendredi | VOHN-druh-DEE |
| Saturday | samedi | SAM-uh-DEE |
| Sunday | dimanche | dee-MOHNSH |
These are the 7 days of the week in French. Also, the proper pronunciation of each day is mentioned in this table. So, practice regularly and bring them in habit to use them in daily life.
The days of the week in French are named after the planets, moon, and Roman gods. So, read below to know the origin of the French days.
1. Lundi (Monday)
“Lundi” comes from the Latin word “Lunae dies,” which means the day of the Moon. Moreover, the Earth’s moon is also called “la lune” in French, and this is easy to remember if you think of English phrases that refer to the Moon, “lunar eclipse.”
2. Mardi (Tuesday)
“Mardi” is named after the Roman god Mars. Similarly, the exact meaning of the month of March is in the English language. You may find it familiar if you’ve ever heard about “Mardi Gras,” which actually translates to “Fat Tuesday,” as it’s the custom of eating rich foods before Lent.
3. Mercredi (Wednesday)
“Mercredi” comes from the name of the planet Mercury also referred to the Roman god of commerce. We’re three days into the days of the week in French, and we hope you’re spotting a pattern – each is simply a planet or a god + “di.”
4. Jeudi (Thursday)
“Jeudi” comes from the word Jupiter, referring to either the planet or the Roman god of the sky. You can’t see the direct origin of the word from the first three letters.
5. Vendredi (Friday)
“Vendredi” comes from the name of the planet Venus or the Roman goddess of love. It’s also useful to know that Good Friday (the Christian holiday) is called “le Vendredi saint” in French.
6. Samedi (Saturday)
“Samedi” doesn’t actually refer to a planet or a god. Instead, it comes from the “sabbatum” or “day of the Sabbath” in Latin, which is the holy day of rest.
7. Dimanche (Sunday)
“Dimanche” is a word that comes from “dies Dominica,” which is Latin for the Lord’s Day.
If you are a beginner in French, then this section will help you understand every day of the week with its origin. Moreover, knowing the origin and structure of the words will help you learn French better.
When learning a new language, it is sometimes difficult to learn the vocabulary. Likewise, people suffer in recalling the days of the week in French. Thus, these tips will help you remember the French days by practicing more and also using fun activities.
1. Create a catchy sentence using the first letter of each day to remember the French days of the week in a fun way. For Example:
“Mister Toad Took My Friend, Saying 'Save Your Soul.”
Mister = Lundi (Monday)
Toad = Mardi (Tuesday)
Took = Mercredi (Wednesday)
My = Jeudi (Thursday)
Friend = Vendredi (Friday)
Saying = Samedi (Saturday)
Save = Dimanche (Sunday)
2. Use flashcards showing French days on one side and English language days on the other side.
3. Find a song or rhyme relating to the name of the days to remember them easily.
4. Relate every day with an activity such as laundry on Lundi and a movie on Mardi to remember the days.
5. Create a schedule using days of French, as you will remember them if you see them daily on the schedule.
6. Talk about the French weekdays and French weekends in your daily conversations to bring them into your speaking habit.
7. Use language learning apps that make the activity of understanding the new vocabulary interesting and easy.
8. Revision is the most important key to remembering the things you learned and making them a permanent part of your life.
These are the tips that will help you learn and remember the day of the week in French. The most important key to remembering the days among the above points is by using them in your daily conversations.
It is easy to remember the days of the week in French if you start using them in your daily conversations. So, some of the common phrases are:
1. On Thursday we go to the pub.
2. Sunday is always the day that we attend church.
3. I only work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
4. Thursdays are when my mother comes for dinner.
5. We have a French etiquette class on Wednesday.
6. Kate and Robert go to the theatre every Friday evening.
7. On Saturday morning, I go for a run.
8. Is John working this Monday?
These common phrases in French will help you learn the days of the week and also some common French slang. So, start using them in your normal conversations with your friends.
Understanding how the French refer to days of the week can offer a unique vision of the French culture and traditions. So, read below to understand the meaning and importance of the days of the week, relating them to some special activities.
1. Lundi: The Start of the Week
In France, Monday marks the beginning of the workweek, which is similar in every country. It is often seen as a fresh start after the weekend and a healthy working period for the people.
2. Mercredi: A Day for Students
Wednesday is usually a half-day for the students in the school. This allows them to take part in extracurricular activities such as sports and arts. This day is also utilized to spend some time with the family members.
3. Vendredi: The End of the Workweek
The workweek in France is from Monday to Friday. So, this day is to wrap up the pending tasks and prepare themselves for the weekend.
4. Dimanche: Family Day
This is the French holiday and is reserved for family gatherings and relaxation as the weekly holiday. Many businesses remain closed, encouraging people to spend quality time with loved ones.
The French language is rich in expressions involving days of the week. Here are a few examples:
This was all about the days of the week in French. Here, you read the list of French days translated into English and also their proper pronunciation. Moreover, it will be a beneficial step if you bring this vocabulary into your daily conversations and become habitual of them. However, if you still face any issues in learning the language, then you can opt for our online French course to take advantage of the well-organized study resources. Thus, reach out today and learn French language in a very easy way.
You may also read: Thank You in French
“Aujourd’hui” means today in French, “hier” means yesterday, and “demain” means tomorrow.
No, the days of the week in French are not capitalized until and unless they are at the start of the sentence.
The proper French pronunciation for the days of the week are:
‘fin de semaine’ is the French translation for the English word weekend.
Want to read more?
explore blogsWe are available in :
BangaloreAhmedabadJaipurHyderabadKeralaPuneChandigarhMumbaiGurgaonChennaiKolkataTrivandrumNoidaKochiCalicutKottayamKollamThrissurIndoreUdaipurdisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
