Learning the days of the week in German is a crucial step toward mastering the language.
Whether you’re planning a trip to a German-speaking country, connecting with German-speaking friends, or simply expanding your linguistic skills, knowing how to express the days of the week is essential.
In this article, we will explore the seven days of the week in German, their meanings, origins, and pronunciation.
We will also provide valuable grammar tips and practical advice on learning and practicing the German days.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to incorporate the days of the week into your German vocabulary.
Montag (Monday)
Montag, meaning “Monday” in German, marks the start of the week for work or school, as with most cultures. The German pronunciation is “mohn-tahk,” with emphasis on the first syllable.
The word Montag is derived from the German word “Mond,” which means “moon.” In English, Monday also means “moon day.”
As we work through the days of the week in German, you will see that many of the days of the week share roots with the English equivalent days. If you find etymology and language learning fascinating, you could benefit from private tutor lessons from a fellow linguaphile.
Dienstag (Tuesday)
Dienstag, which means “Tuesday” in German, is pronounced as “dee-en-shtaak.” Dienstag originates from an old Germanic God named Tyr, who was associated with Mars, the Roman god of war. In English, “Tuesday” is also linked to this God, who we call Tiw, so it’s “Tiw’s day.”
Understanding the etymology behind the days of the week adds a fascinating layer to language learning and cultural exploration.
Mittwoch (Wednesday)
Mittwoch, meaning “Wednesday” in German, is pronounced as “mit-vokh.” Note that, unlike the other days of the week, Mittwoch doesn’t end with “-tag” but rather with “-woch,” which means “week.”
This is because Mittwoch means “mid-week,” reflecting Wednesday’s place in the weekly cycle.
Donnerstag (Thursday)
Donnerstag, meaning “Thursday” in German, is pronounced as “dohn-er-shtaag.” In the German language, Donar is the name for the Norse God of Thunder.
The English word “Thursday” also comes from the God of Thunder, Thor, so it is “Thor’s day.” These connections between the two languages demonstrate the shared roots and cultural influences.
Freitag (Friday)
Freitag, the German word for “Friday,” is pronounced as “fry-tahg.” The name Freitag originates from the Norse Goddess Frigg, also known as Freya. She was associated with various aspects such as fertility, marriage, and home.
The English word “Friday” also comes from Frigg, or Freya, so it is “Frigg’s day.” Exploring the etymology of the days of the week adds depth to your understanding of language and history.
Samstag (Saturday)
Samstag, the German word for “Saturday,” is pronounced as “zahm-stahg.” In northern and western Germany, you may also come across the term Sonnabend for Saturday.
Samstag originates from a Greek word meaning “sabbath,” while Sonnabend means “sun-evening,” referring to the day before Sunday.
These different names reflect regional variations and historical influences within German-speaking cultures.
Understanding these nuances adds depth to your language-learning journey and increases your appreciation of the diverse linguistic landscape of Germany.
Here, German and English part ways, as the English “Saturday” comes from the Roman God Saturn.
Sonntag (Sunday)
Sonntag, the German word for “Sunday,” is pronounced as “zon-tahk.” Sonntag translates to “sun-day,” which is the same as the etymology for the English “Sunday.”
In many cultures, Sunday is considered a day of rest and religious observance. Most Germans will not work on Sundays.
Gender of the Days of the Week and Corresponding Articles
All of the days of the week in German are masculine, which means that they all take the masculine articles der (“the”) and ein (“a”).
Note that this is usually if the word is standing on its own. As with English, the article is often not present in full sentences.
If you remember that the German word der Tag (“the day”) is masculine, you should remember that the days of the week are masculine.
Most compound words in German take the gender of the word at the end, so all of the days of the week minus Wednesday (Mittwoch) are clearly masculine, as they end in –tag. Mittwoch is an exception to the rule and needs to be learned.
Prepositions for Indicating Specific Days and Time Periods
In German, specific prepositions are used to indicate different days and time periods. The preposition am is used to indicate a specific day, such as am Montag (“on Monday”) or am Samstag (“on Saturday”).
For time periods, the preposition in is used, for example, in der Woche (“during the week”) or im Jahr (“in the year”).
The German preposition von is used to indicate “from” and bis indicates “to,” as in von Montag bis Freitag (“from Monday to Friday”).
Understanding these prepositions is helpful for correctly expressing specific days and time periods in German.
Capitalization Rules for the Days of the Week
In German, there are specific capitalization rules for the days of the week. The days of the week are capitalized since they are considered proper nouns.
However, when these days are used in a general sense, without referring to a specific day, they are written in lowercase. For example, Ich arbeite montags (“I work on Mondays”).
Tips for Learning and Practicing the German Days of the Week
Learning and practicing the German days of the week can be fun and rewarding. Here are some tips to help you master them:
- Start with pronunciation: Listen to native speakers or audio resources to get the correct pronunciation of each day. Pay attention to the sounds and practice repeating them.
- Use mnemonic devices: Create mnemonics or associations to remember the German names of the days. For example, you could associate “Montag” with “Monday,” or “Mittwoch” with “midweek.”
- Practice with flashcards: Make flashcards with the German names on one side and the English translations on the other. Test yourself regularly to reinforce your memory.
- Incorporate them into daily life: Use the German days of the week when speaking or writing. Label your calendar or set reminders in German to practice their usage.
- Engage in conversations: Find language partners or join online communities to practice using the days of the week in conversations. This will help you build confidence and fluency.
SmarterGerman has some other helpful tips for learning German faster. Remember, consistent practice and exposure are key to mastering the German days of the week. Enjoy the process and have fun while learning.
FAQs About the Days of the Week in German
Below are some frequently asked questions on the days of the week in German.
What are the 7 days of the week in German?
The seven days of the week in German are Montag (“Monday”), Dienstag (“Tuesday”), Mittwoch (“Wednesday”), Donnerstag (“Thursday”), Freitag (“Friday”), Samstag (“Saturday”), and Sonntag (“Sunday”).
Each day has its own unique origin and significance, such as Montag meaning “moon-day” and Sonntag meaning “sun-day.” Integrating these German words into your language-learning journey will help you confidently navigate everyday conversations that revolve around days of the week.
Why does the German week start on Monday?
The German week starting on Monday is influenced by cultural and historical factors. While the seven-day week has roots in various ancient civilizations, including those with religious or astrological significance, the modern convention of starting the week on Monday is prevalent in many German-speaking cultures.
This practice aligns with international standards and is also influenced by practical considerations, such as work schedules and the division of weekdays and weekends.
Why is Wednesday called Mittwoch in German?
Wednesday is called Mittwoch in German because it literally translates to “mid-week.” Unlike the other days of the week, which end with -tag meaning “day,” Mittwoch ends with -woch meaning “week.” This unique naming reflects the position of Wednesday as the midpoint of the week, dividing it into two equal halves.
Why should I learn the German days of the week?
Learning the German days of the week can broaden your cultural understanding, enhance communication skills, and facilitate interactions with German-speaking people. It opens doors to connect, collaborate, and appreciate German culture, whether for travel, business, or personal enrichment.
Summing Up: All Days of the Week in German – From Montag to Sonntag
Understanding and utilizing the German days of the week opens doors to effective communication and cultural immersion.
By familiarizing yourself with terms like Montag, Dienstag, Mittwoch, Donnerstag, Freitag, Samstag, and Sonntag, you’ll be equipped to navigate daily conversations, schedule appointments, and plan your activities in German-speaking countries.
Remember to consider the grammatical aspects, such as gender and capitalization rules, to speak German fluently. Additionally, make use of various learning strategies like visual aids and practice sentences to reinforce your knowledge.
Learning the German days of the week is not only practical but also a stepping stone to further language exploration. Keep building your German skills and embrace the richness of the language.