How Do You Say What Day Is It In French

Ever found yourself in a French café, looking at your phone, and wondering, "What day is it today?" Well, you're not alone! Knowing how to say the day of the week in French can be a game-changer, especially when you're trying to plan your week or just want to chat with the locals.

Let's Start with the Basics

In French, the days of the week are called les jours de la semaine. Just like in English, they follow a specific order, starting with Monday and ending with Sunday. So, let's dive right in!

Monday - Lundi

Lundi comes from the Latin word for moon, luna. Fun fact: In many Romance languages, Monday is named after the moon because it was the first day of the week in the Roman calendar, and the new moon marked the beginning of the month.

Tuesday - Mardi

Mardi is French for Tuesday. It comes from the Latin word for Mars, the Roman god of war. In many Romance languages, Tuesday is named after Mars because, in the Roman calendar, the week started on Monday, and the second day was dedicated to Mars.

Wednesday - Mercredi

Mercredi is French for Wednesday. It's named after Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, messages, and travelers. In the Roman calendar, Wednesday was dedicated to Mercury because it was the day merchants and travelers set out on their journeys.

Thursday - Jeudi

Jeudi is French for Thursday. It's named after Jupiter, the Roman king of gods. In the Roman calendar, Thursday was dedicated to Jupiter because it was the day the Senate met, and Jupiter was the protector of the state.

Friday - Vendredi

Vendredi is French for Friday. It comes from the Latin word for Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. In the Roman calendar, Friday was dedicated to Venus because it was the day the markets were held, and Venus was the patroness of markets.

7 Ways to Say Day in French With Pronunciation

Saturday - Samedi

Samedi is French for Saturday. It comes from the Latin word for Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture and the harvest. In the Roman calendar, Saturday was dedicated to Saturn because it was the day the markets were held, and Saturn was the patron of agriculture.

Sunday - Dimanche

Dimanche is French for Sunday. It comes from the Latin word for sun, dies solis. In many Romance languages, Sunday is named after the sun because it was the last day of the week in the Roman calendar, and the sun marked the end of the week.

Now, Let's Put It All Together

So, if someone asks you, "Quelle journée est-ce aujourd'hui?" (What day is it today?), you can confidently reply with the French name of the day. For example, if it's Tuesday, you would say, "C'est mardi aujourd'hui." (It's Tuesday today.)

And there you have it! You now know how to say the days of the week in French. Next time you're in a French-speaking country, you'll be able to navigate your week with ease. Who knows, you might even make some new friends who appreciate your linguistic efforts!

Bon voyage et bonne chance!