i think languages logo

French days of the week: A complete guide

french days of the week a complete guide

Discover the complete guide to the French days of the week! Learn how to pronounce and spell each day, along with useful tips and cultural insights. Enhance your French language skills today!

french days of the week

Learning a new language is a fun and exciting experience, but it can also be a bit overwhelming at times. One aspect of French that may be confusing for English speakers is the way that the days of the week are named.

In this article, we will provide a complete guide to the French days of the week, including their pronunciation and proper usage.

Monday: lundi

Let’s start with Monday, which is known as “lundi” in French. The word “lundi” is derived from the Old French “lunesdi,” which means “day of the Moon.”

In French, the days of the week are named after celestial bodies and deities, with Monday being associated with the Moon. To pronounce “lundi,” begin by saying the “l” sound as you would in English.

Then, say the “u” sound as if you are saying “oo” without rounding your lips. Finally, say the “n” sound as you normally would and finish with the “d” sound. So, “lundi” is pronounced, “loon-dee.”

Tuesday: mardi

Next up is Tuesday, which is called “mardi” in French. Like “lundi,” “mardi” is also derived from Old French, with “martesdi” meaning “day of Mars.” In French, Tuesday is associated with the planet Mars.

To pronounce “mardi,” begin by saying the “m” sound as you normally would. Then, say the “a” sound as if you are saying “ah” without opening your mouth too wide. Finally, say the “r” sound as you normally would and finish with the “d” sound. So, “mardi” is pronounced, “mar-dee.”

Wednesday: mercredi

Wednesday is “mercredi” in the French language. This word is derived from the Old French “mercuresdi,” which means “day of Mercury.” In French, Wednesday is associated with the planet Mercury.

To pronounce “mercredi,” begin by saying the “m” sound as you normally would. Then, say the “e” sound as if you are saying “uh” without opening your mouth too wide.

Next, say the “r” sound as you normally would, followed by the “k” sound as you would in English. Finally, say the “r” sound again and finish with the “d” sound. So, “mercredi” is pronounced, “mehr-kruh-dee.”

Thursday: jeudi

Thursday is “jeudi” in French. This word is derived from the Old French “juesdi,” which means “day of Jupiter.”

In French, Thursday is associated with the planet Jupiter. To pronounce “jeudi,” begin by saying the “j” sound as you normally would. Then, say the “eu” sound as if you are saying “uh” while rounding your lips. Finally, say the “d” sound as you normally would. So, “jeudi” is pronounced, “juh-dee.”

Friday: vendredi

Vendredi is the French word for Friday. This word comes from the Old French “vendresdi,” which translates as “day of Venus.” In French, Friday is linked to the planet Venus.

Spanish days of the week: Rules

It’s vital to keep in mind that the French days of the week are not capitalized unless they are the first word in a sentence. Je travaille le lundi, for instance, is correct, but “Je travaille le Lundi” is incorrect.

The words for the days of the week often do not begin with an article in French (un, une, le, la). For instance, “I go to the movies on Tuesday” (Je vais au cinéma le mardi) is proper, but “I go to the movies on Tuesday night” (Je vais au cinéma le mardi soir) is incorrect. You would say, “I’m going to the movies on Tuesday night.”

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that the term “in” does not follow the days of the week in French, so “I’m going to Paris on Monday in August” would be translated as “Je vais à Paris lundi en août” rather than “Je vais à Paris lundi dans août.”

The usage of the days of the week in conjunction with a specific date as opposed to a broad time period is more typical in French, it should be noted. In contrast to “Je vais au cinéma tous les mardis,” the phrase “Je vais au cinéma le mardi” is more frequently used (I go to the cinema every Tuesday).

Finally, it is worth noting that the French days of the week are not interchangeable with the English days of the week. For example, “Je vais au cinéma le Thursday” is not correct in French. You must use the correct French word for the day of the week, such as “Jeudi.”

French days of the week in the context

french days of the week in the context

One common way to use the French days of the week is to talk about your weekly schedule or routine. For example:

  • Je travaille du lundi au vendredi. (I work from Monday to Friday.)
  • Je vais à la gym le lundi, mercredi et vendredi. (I go to the gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.)
  • Je donne des cours de français le mardi et le jeudi. (I teach French classes on Tuesday and Thursday.)

You can also use the French days of the week to talk about specific events or activities that are happening on a certain day. For example:

  • Mon anniversaire est le lundi. (My birthday is on Monday.)
  • Nous avons une réunion importante le mercredi. (We have an important meeting on Wednesday.)
  • Le concert commence à 20h00 le vendredi. (The concert starts at 8:00 PM on Friday.)

Another way to use the French days of the week is to talk about how long something has been going on or how long it will continue. For example:

  • Je suis en vacances depuis le lundi. (I have been on vacation since Monday.)
  • Nous avons un projet à rendre d’ici le mercredi. (We have a project due by Wednesday.)
  • Je reste à Paris jusqu’au jeudi. (I am staying in Paris until Thursday.)

Finally, you can use the French days of the week to talk about past events or to make plans for the future. For example:

  • J’ai vu le film le mardi dernier. (I saw the movie last Tuesday.)
  • Je vais au cinéma le mardi prochain. (I am going to the cinema next Tuesday.)

The French days of the week are a significant part of the language and are utilized in a number of settings. Utilizing the days of the week in French will get easier and more natural with time and exposure.

Related Posts

French: How to teach on Italki

Why a guide to teaching languages online I’m ready to reveal my small secrets as I transition from providing online instruction to managing my website.

German: Babbel vs Duolingo: differences

Numerous individuals use software and apps to learn new languages. These days, two well-known online resources for language learning include Babbel and Duolingo. They both

Languages: Babbel vs Duolingo: differences

In today’s post, we’ll talk about the differences between Babbel and Duolingo. These are unquestionably the two most well-known language learning programs out there. Let’s

Top 20 Spanish words used in sports

Discover the top 20 Spanish words commonly used in the world of sports. Enhance your sports vocabulary and understanding with our informative blog. Introduction The

French Phrases You Need in Workplace

Mastering French phrases in the workplace is essential for effective communication. This blog explores key phrases to navigate the professional world en français. I. Introduction

Sea in French: How to say Sea in Italian

Discover the Italian translation for “sea” with our guide. Learn how to pronounce and use this common word in the beautiful Italian language. The sea

Spanish adverbials: Mientras…

The word Mientras can be an adverb or conjunction depending on the sentence and its structure. You can use mientras to connect two actions in

Spanish imperative negative + pronouns

The Spanish structure imperativo negativo + pronombres enclíticos is a bit controversial topic since many Spanish students get confused when using it. Los pronombres enclíticos

7 Myths About Learning Spanish

Unveiling the truth behind learning Spanish! Discover and debunk the 7 common myths that may be holding you back from mastering this vibrant language. Are

Famous French Food You Must Try

Indulge in the flavors of France with our guide to famous French food. Discover must-try dishes like escargots, coq au vin, and crème brûlée. Bon

Famous French Singers You Must Know

Discover the iconic voices that have made French music famous worldwide. Our list of famous French singers features timeless classics and modern hits. French singers

Famous Spanish Food You Must Try

Embark on a delectable journey through Spain’s culinary wonders! Discover the must-try famous Spanish dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Spanish Food Spain is

Famous German Singers You Must Know

Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of German music as we showcase the extraordinary talents of renowned singers from Germany. From timeless

Famous Spanish Singers You Must Know

Let the music captivate your senses and ignite your passion for Spanish culture by knowing the famous Spanish singers that ever existed. Importance of Spanish

German Phrases You Need in the Workplace

Discover essential German phrases for the workplace. From greetings to professional conversations, equip yourself with the necessary language skills. German Phrases in the Workplace Learning

Spanish Phrases You Need in Workplace

Master the essential Spanish phrases for the workplace and enhance your communication skills. From greetings to professional requests, we’ve got you covered! Spanish Words in

Top Spanish Speaking Countries

Explore the vibrant cultures and diverse landscapes of the top Spanish-speaking countries in this blog. Discover their history, traditions, and more! Explanation of the importance

Top 20 German Words Used in Sports

Discover the top 20 German words commonly used in sports, from ‘Tor’ to ‘Abseits’. Enhance your sports vocabulary and impress your German-speaking friends! Introduction Explanation

Top 20 French Words Used in Sports

Discover the Top 20 French words used in sports! From “but” to “arbitre,” learn essential vocab to help you better understand the sports world in

How to Say “Food” in Spanish

“Learn the different ways to say ‘food’ in Spanish and expand your vocabulary with our comprehensive guide. Enhance your language skills today!” One of the

How to Say “Food” in French

Learn the various ways to say “food” in French with this comprehensive guide. Expand your vocabulary and impress your francophone friends! “Food” in French: La

How to Say “Food” in German

Learn how to say ‘food’ in German and impress your friends with your language skills! Check out our easy guide and enhance your vocabulary today.

Top 7 Reasons for learning French

Parlez-vous Français? Explore the top 7 reasons for learning French and unlock a world of opportunities. Start your language journey with confidence today! 7 reasons

Top 7 Reasons for Learning German

Discover the power of learning German! Unlock opportunities and expand your horizons with compelling reasons to study German. Start your linguistic journey today! Reasons for

Top 9 Reasons for learning Spanish

Is learning Spanish worth it? What are the top reasons for learning the Spanish language? Start your Spanish journey now! Reasons why learning Spanish is worth

How to learn Spanish through Podcasts

Do you want to learn Spanish through podcasts? Immerse yourself in the richness of the Spanish language with our podcast-based learning guide. Learn Spanish through

How to learn Languages through Podcasts

Unlock the power of language learning with podcasts! Explore the ultimate guide to mastering a new language through engaging podcasts. Start your linguistic journey now!

How to Maximize Your Time in Learning German

Learn German efficiently with expert tips! Discover effective techniques on how to maximize your time in learning German. Tips and strategies for efficiently learning German

How to learn French through Podcasts

Unlock the beauty of the French language with our podcast-based learning approach. Master French effortlessly with engaging lessons and practical tips! The Power of Podcasts

How to Learn German through Podcasts

Master German with ease! Explore the ultimate guide to learning German through podcasts. Gain language skills, cultural insights, and fluency. Start your German journey now!

How hard is it to learn German?

How hard is it to learn German?  Our comprehensive guide provides insights into the challenges and strategies to master the language. How hard is it

How hard is it to learn French?

Discover how difficult it is to learn French in our latest blog post, “Parlez-Vous Français?”. Gain insights and tips to improve your French skills. Parlez-vous

How to say in German

Looking to learn how to say common phrases in German? Check out this blog for tips and tricks on how to speak the language like

How to Pronounce Luxury Brands in French?

Are you a fashion enthusiast struggling to correctly pronounce luxury brand names in French? Look no further! In this French pronunciation guide for luxury brands,

Silent French H: Mute and Aspirated

The silent letter h is often causing trouble to French learners. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the “h” mute and

Faire la Bise: All about French Kiss

If you’re wondering how to greet in French, either through handshakes or kisses, you are at the right place. Today, you’ll learn how to navigate

Speaking practice: talk to yourself

Improve your speaking skills with these simple tips on how to practice speaking by talking to yourself. Start speaking confidently today! Read more here. Speaking

Spaced repetition for the German language

Master German faster with spaced repetition! Our blog explains how this powerful technique works and offers tips to incorporate it into your learning routine. What

What does TE AMO mean in Spanish?

Discover the romantic meaning behind Te Amo, the Spanish phrase for ‘I love you’. Explore its cultural significance and usage in everyday life. Te Amo