The days of the week in French might seem straightforward at first glance, but there’s so much more to discover. Sure, knowing the basic translations is essential, but understanding their usage, cultural significance, and even their origins adds a whole new layer. So, let’s unpack everything you need to know about them—from pronunciation to fun facts. Personally, I find the French names for days of the week fascinating because they reveal both history and language quirks.

1. The basic translations

Here’s the list of days in French, starting from Monday. They’re straightforward and easy to remember once you practice.

• Monday: Lundi
• Tuesday: Mardi
• Wednesday: Mercredi
• Thursday: Jeudi
• Friday: Vendredi
• Saturday: Samedi
• Sunday: Dimanche

2. Origins of the names

If you’re like me, you might find it fun to explore where these names come from. Each day has roots in Latin and mythology, which is why many of them sound familiar to English speakers.

Lundi

Derived from « Lunae dies » (Day of the Moon). It’s the same as « Monday, » which also refers to the Moon.

Mardi

Comes from « Martis dies » (Day of Mars). In mythology, Mars is the god of war. The English « Tuesday » comes from Tyr, the Norse equivalent.

Mercredi

Based on « Mercurii dies » (Day of Mercury), the Roman god of communication. Think of « Wednesday, » which links to Woden (Odin).

Jeudi

« Jovis dies » (Day of Jupiter). In English, Thursday connects to Thor, who aligns with Jupiter as a thunder god.

Vendredi

« Veneris dies » (Day of Venus). The goddess of love gives us « Friday, » similar to the Norse goddess Frigg.

Samedi

« Dies Saturni » (Day of Saturn). English’s « Saturday » also refers to Saturn.

Dimanche

From « Dies Dominicus » (Day of the Lord). Unlike the other days, this one shifted focus to Christianity early on. The English « Sunday » stayed connected to the Sun.

3. Pronunciation tips

French pronunciation can be tricky, but with some practice, the days of the week are fairly easy.

• Lundi: Pronounced lun-dee (nasal « lun »).
• Mardi: Say mar-dee.
• Mercredi: This one can trip people up. It’s mehr-cruh-dee.
• Jeudi: Sounds like zhuh-dee (soft « zh » sound).
• Vendredi: Pronounce it vahn-druh-dee.
• Samedi: Say sam-dee.
• Dimanche: Think dee-mahnsh (soft nasal ending).

Practice slowly at first. Over time, the rhythm will feel natural.

4. Usage in sentences

Now that you know how to say them, let’s look at how they appear in context. French often uses days of the week in everyday conversations.

Talking about schedules

• Je vais au cinéma lundi. (« I’m going to the cinema on Monday. »)
• Nous avons une réunion mardi matin. (« We have a meeting Tuesday morning. »)

Recurring events

If something happens every week on the same day, you add le before the day.

• Je fais du yoga le samedi. (« I do yoga on Saturdays. »)

5. Capitalization rules

One big difference between English and French: in French, days of the week are not capitalized unless they’re at the beginning of a sentence.

Example:

• Mon anniversaire est lundi. (« My birthday is on Monday. »)

6. Cultural importance of days

French people don’t just see days as names—they’re tied to routines, traditions, and cultural practices. Here’s why they matter.

The workweek

In France, the standard workweek is Monday to Friday (lundi au vendredi), with most people working 35 hours a week. The weekend (le weekend) is sacred, especially Sundays.

Sunday traditions

Dimanche often revolves around family time, long meals, or even attending church. It’s also a day when many stores are closed, a contrast to some English-speaking countries.

7. How to ask about days

Need to ask what day it is? The simplest question is:

• Quel jour sommes-nous ? (« What day is it? »)

Another common phrase:

• C’est quel jour aujourd’hui ? (« What day is today? »)

To answer, just say:

• Nous sommes lundi. (« It’s Monday. »)

8. Common expressions involving days

French has plenty of idiomatic expressions with days of the week. They add flavor to conversations and help you sound more natural.

A. « Entre lundi et mardi »

Means something is vague or uncertain, like « between Monday and Tuesday. »

• Elle arrivera entre lundi et mardi. (« She’ll arrive sometime between Monday and Tuesday. »)

B. « Remettre au lendemain »

To postpone something. Literally, « put it off until tomorrow. »

• Il faut arrêter de tout remettre au lendemain. (« You need to stop putting everything off until tomorrow. »)

9. Tips for learning the days

Learning the days of the week is one thing; remembering them naturally is another. Here’s how to make them stick.

A. Use them daily

Integrate them into your routine. For example, write your to-do list in French or say your schedule out loud.

B. Flashcards

Write each day in French on one side and in English on the other. Practice until you can recall them instantly.

C. Watch French media

Listen for the days in movies, songs, or podcasts. Native speakers use them constantly, and hearing them repeatedly helps.

The days of the week in French are more than just vocabulary—they’re a window into culture, history, and daily life. By mastering them, you’ll not only expand your French skills but also deepen your understanding of how the French live and communicate. Try using them in your routine—you’ll be surprised how often they pop up.