In French, the days of the week are known as “les jours de la semaine”. There are seven days in a week, and the French language uses a combination of Latin and French words to name them.

The first day of the week in French is “lundi”, which means Monday. The next day is “mardi”, which means Tuesday, followed by “mercredi” (Wednesday), “jeudi” (Thursday), “vendredi” (Friday), “samedi” (Saturday), and “dimanche” (Sunday).

French pronunciation can be tricky for English speakers, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier to pronounce French words accurately. The pronunciation of French days of the week may differ slightly from their written forms, as French has a lot of silent letters and nasal sounds that may take some getting used to.

Learning the days of the week in French is an essential part of learning the language. It can help you navigate daily conversations with French speakers and plan your schedule more effectively. Additionally, knowing the days of the week is crucial when making appointments or scheduling events in a French-speaking country.

Days of the Week in French

Here’s the updated table with the days of the week in French, along with their respective pronunciations.

English	French	Pronunciation
Monday	lundi	[luhn-dee]
Tuesday	mardi	[mar-dee]
Wednesday	mercredi	[mehr-kruh-dee]
Thursday	jeudi	[juh-dee]
Friday	vendredi	[vahn-druh-dee]
Saturday	samedi	[sam-dee]
Sunday	dimanche	[dee-mahnsh]

French Week Days

Here’s an explanation of French week days, along with some additional information about their origins and significance.

1. Lundi (Monday):

The word “lundi” comes from the Latin “dies Lunae”, which means “day of the Moon”. The Moon was associated with the goddess Luna in ancient Roman mythology, and this day was believed to be particularly important for those who worked with the tides or the sea.

In modern French culture, Monday is seen as the start of the working week. Many businesses and schools begin their week on Monday, and it’s often considered a busy and hectic day for most people. In some regions of France, there are traditional foods that are eaten on Mondays, such as “pot-au-feu”, a hearty beef stew.

2. Mardi (Tuesday):

The word “mardi” comes from the Latin “dies Martis”, which means “day of Mars”. Mars was the god of war in ancient Roman mythology, and this day was associated with military activities and conflict.

In modern French culture, Tuesday is often seen as a less busy day than Monday. It’s sometimes referred to as “le jour des enfants”, or “the day of children”, because many schools in France have half-day schedules on Tuesdays.

3. Mercredi (Wednesday):

The word “mercredi” comes from the Latin “dies Mercurii”, which means “day of Mercury”. Mercury was the messenger of the gods in ancient Roman mythology, and this day was associated with communication, commerce, and travel.

In modern French culture, Wednesday is often seen as the middle of the work week. Many businesses and schools have half-day schedules on Wednesdays, and it’s a popular day for sports and other extracurricular activities.

4. Jeudi (Thursday):

The word “jeudi” comes from the Latin “dies Iovis”, which means “day of Jupiter”. Jupiter was the king of the gods in ancient Roman mythology, and this day was associated with leadership, authority, and power.

In modern French culture, Thursday is often seen as a busy day for business and social activities. Many people go out to restaurants or attend cultural events on Thursday evenings.

5. Vendredi (Friday):

The word “vendredi” comes from the Latin “dies Veneris”, which means “day of Venus”. Venus was the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility in ancient Roman mythology, and this day was associated with romance and pleasure.

In modern French culture, Friday is often seen as a festive day, and it’s a popular day for socializing and going out with friends. Many French people also observe “le vendredi saint” (Good Friday), which is a religious holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

6. Samedi (Saturday):

The word “samedi” comes from the Latin “dies Saturni”, which means “day of Saturn”. Saturn was the god of agriculture and harvest in ancient Roman mythology, and this day was associated with leisure and relaxation.

In modern French culture, Saturday is often seen as a day for rest and recreation. It’s a popular day for outdoor activities, such as hiking or going to the beach, and many people spend time with family and friends on Saturdays.

7. Dimanche (Sunday):

The word “dimanche” comes from the Latin “dies Dominica”, which means “day of the Lord”. Sunday is the Christian Sabbath, and it’s a day of rest and worship in many cultures around the world.

In modern French culture, Sunday is often seen as a day for family and religious activities. Many French people attend church on Sunday mornings, and it’s a popular day for family dinners and gatherings.

Examples – Days of the Week in French

Here are expanded explanations of each example:

1. Je vais au travail le lundi. (I go to work on Monday.) In this sentence, “le lundi” indicates that the speaker goes to work on Mondays. The article “le” is used before the day of the week to specify which day of the week the speaker is referring to.
2. Nous avons rendez-vous mardi après-midi. (We have an appointment on Tuesday afternoon.) In this sentence, “mardi après-midi” indicates the specific time of the appointment. The phrase “rendez-vous” means “appointment” in French, and the word “après-midi” means “afternoon.”
3. Le mercredi, j’ai mon cours de français. (On Wednesday, I have my French class.) In this sentence, “le mercredi” indicates that the speaker has a French class on Wednesdays. The word “cours” means “class” in French.
4. Le jeudi, nous avons notre réunion hebdomadaire. (On Thursday, we have our weekly meeting.) In this sentence, “le jeudi” indicates that the speaker’s weekly meeting occurs on Thursdays. The word “réunion” means “meeting” in French, and “hebdomadaire” means “weekly.”
5. Vendredi soir, nous allons au cinéma. (On Friday night, we are going to the cinema.) In this sentence, “vendredi soir” indicates that the speaker is going to the cinema on Friday night. The phrase “aller au cinéma” means “to go to the cinema” in French.
6. Samedi, je fais du sport le matin. (On Saturday, I do sports in the morning.) In this sentence, “samedi” indicates that the speaker does sports on Saturday mornings. The phrase “faire du sport” means “to do sports” in French.
7. Dimanche, je me repose et je lis. (On Sunday, I rest and read.) In this sentence, “dimanche” indicates that the speaker rests and reads on Sundays. The phrase “se reposer” means “to rest” in French.

FAQ

How do you say there are 7 days in a week in French?

To say “there are 7 days in a week” in French, you would say “Il y a 7 jours dans une semaine.” This is a straightforward translation from English to French, and it conveys the same meaning.

The French language, like many others, has evolved over time. French, for instance, is derived from Latin, which is a classical language. The French language is spoken by millions of people worldwide and is an official language in many countries, including France, Canada, and several African nations. Knowing how to communicate in French can be beneficial for anyone looking to travel to or work in these countries.

The phrase “Il y a 7 jours dans une semaine” is made up of several parts. “Il y a” is a common phrase used in French that means “there is” or “there are.” “7 jours” means “7 days,” and “dans une semaine” means “in a week.” So when you put it all together, the phrase means “there are 7 days in a week.”

It is essential to note that in French, the days of the week are not capitalized, unlike in English. The French language has its unique pronunciation and spellings, and mastering them takes time and practice. However, learning some basic French phrases and vocabulary can be a great start.

If you want to say “there are 7 days in a week” in French, you can use the phrase “Il y a 7 jours dans une semaine.” This phrase is useful in everyday conversation and will be understood by French speakers worldwide. Learning French can be a valuable skill, and starting with simple phrases like this one can help you build your confidence and understanding of the language.

How do you remember weekdays in French?

Remembering the weekdays in French can be challenging for beginners, especially because the names are different from the English language. However, with some memorization techniques, you can quickly master the weekdays in French. Here are some methods to remember the weekdays in French:

1. Use a Mnemonic Device:

Mnemonic devices are memory aids that help you remember things through associations. One popular mnemonic device for remembering the weekdays in French is to use the phrase “Maudite, Marie, Mange, Jeudi, Vendredi, Samedi, Dimanche.” The first letter of each word corresponds to the first letter of the French day of the week. For example, “Maudite” represents “Monday” or “Lundi” in French, “Marie” represents “Tuesday” or “Mardi,” “Mange” represents “Wednesday” or “Mercredi,” and so on.

2. Create Associations:

You can also create associations between the French days of the week and something else that is easy to remember. For example, you could associate “Lundi” with “Monday” because they sound similar, or “Jeudi” with “Jupiter” because both words start with “Ju.” Another example is to associate “Mardi” with “tacos” since “mardi” sounds like “taco” in French.

3. Practice and repetition:

Repetition and practice can also help you remember the weekdays in French. It’s essential to spend some time each day practicing the days of the week in French until they become familiar to you. You can do this by writing them down, saying them out loud, or using flashcards to test yourself.

4. Sing a song:

Learning a song that includes the French days of the week can be an enjoyable way to remember them. One popular French song for children that includes the days of the week is “Lundi Matin” or “Monday Morning.” This song is easy to learn and can be a fun way to practice the French days of the week.

Remembering the weekdays in French can be challenging, but with some memorization techniques, it’s possible to master them quickly. You can use a mnemonic device, create associations, practice and repetition, or even sing a song to remember the French days of the week. By spending some time each day practicing and using these techniques, you’ll be able to confidently use the French days of the week in conversation.