A Beginner’s Guide To French Days Of The Week (Les Jours de la Semaine) With Audio

French days of the week

Bonjour! Welcome to our beginner’s guide to French days of the week, or “les jours de la semaine.” If you’re just starting your journey into the French language, learning the days of the week is an excellent step to take.

This blog post will cover the French days of the week, their origins, pronunciation, and some common expressions to help you use them effectively. Let’s dive in!

The Days Of The Week In French Langauge

The first thing you need to know is how to say the days of the week in French. Here they are:

1. Monday – Lundi

2. Tuesday – Mardi

3. Wednesday – Mercredi

4. Thursday – Jeudi

5. Friday – Vendredi

6. Saturday – Samedi

7. Sunday – Dimanche

You might notice that the French days of the week are similar to their English counterparts. That’s because both languages have roots in Latin and have adopted the names of Roman gods and celestial bodies. For example, “Lundi” comes from “Lunae dies” in Latin, which means “day of the moon.”

Pronunciation Tips For 7 Days Of The Week In French

Pronouncing the days of the week in French can be a bit tricky for English speakers. Here are some tips to help you get the pronunciation right:

  1. Lundi (Monday): Pronounced “luhn-dee,” with a short ‘u’ sound similar to the word “fun.”
  2. Mardi (Tuesday): Pronounced “mahr-dee,” with a short ‘a’ sound like in “car.”
  3. Mercredi (Wednesday): Pronounced “mehr-kruh-dee,” with the ‘r’ sound produced in the back of the throat.
  4. Jeudi (Thursday): Pronounced “juh-dee,” with a soft ‘j’ sound like in the word “measure.”
  5. Vendredi (Friday): Pronounced “vahn-druh-dee,” with the ‘r’ sound produced in the back of the throat.
  6. Samedi (Saturday): Pronounced “sahm-dee,” with a short ‘a’ sound like in “cat.”
  7. Dimanche (Sunday): Pronounced “dee-mahnsh,” with a soft ‘sh’ sound at the end.

Using The Days Of The Week In Sentences

Now that you know the days of the week in French and how to pronounce them, let’s look at some examples of how to use them in sentences:

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  1. Aujourd’hui, c’est lundi. (Today is Monday.)
  2. Je vais au cinéma mardi soir. (I am going to the movies on Tuesday evening.)
  3. Le magasin est fermé le mercredi. (The store is closed on Wednesdays.)
  4. Nous avons un rendez-vous jeudi. (We have an appointment on Thursday.)
  5. Elle travaille jusqu’à vendredi. (She works until Friday.)
  6. Ils viennent samedi prochain. (They are coming next Saturday.)
  7. Dimanche, c’est le jour de repos. (Sunday is a day of rest.)

Expressions Involving Days Of the Week

Here are some common expressions involving days of the week in French:

  1. Le week-end: This term refers to the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). For example, “Je me repose le week-end” means “I rest on the weekends.”
  2. La semaine prochaine: This phrase means “next week.” For example, “Nous partons en vacances la semaine prochaine” translates to “We are going on vacation next week.”
  3. La semaine dernière: This expression means “last week.” For instance, “J’ai acheté ce livre la semaine dernière” means “I bought this book last week.”
  4. En semaine: This phrase is used to describe weekdays. For example, “Je travaille en semaine” means “I work during the week.”
  5. Le jour suivant: This expression means “the following day” or “the next day.” For instance, “Nous partirons le jour suivant” translates to “We will leave the following day.”
  6. Du lundi au vendredi: This phrase indicates a range of days, in this case, Monday to Friday. For example, “Le bureau est ouvert du lundi au vendredi” means “The office is open from Monday to Friday.”
  7. Tous les mardis: This expression means “every Tuesday.” For instance, “Je vais à la gym tous les mardis” translates to “I go to the gym every Tuesday.”

Using these expressions will help you sound more natural when talking about days of the week and planning events. Practice incorporating them into your daily conversations to improve your fluency in French.

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Talking About Frequency And Routines In French Meaning

When discussing your weekly routine, you’ll often need to express how frequently you do certain activities. Here are some useful phrases for describing your routine:

  1. Tous les jours (Every day): Je fais du sport tous les jours. (I exercise every day.)
  2. Une fois par semaine (Once a week): Je vais à la piscine une fois par semaine. (I go to the swimming pool once a week.)
  3. Deux fois par semaine (Twice a week): J’étudie le français deux fois par semaine. (I study French twice a week.)
  4. Le week-end (On weekends): Je fais la grasse matinée le week-end. (I sleep in on weekends.)

Days Of The Week In French Pronunciation With Questions

Asking questions about days of the week is essential for making plans and appointments. Here are some examples:

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  1. Quel jour sommes-nous? (What day is it today?)
  2. Quel jour est votre anniversaire? (What day is your birthday?)
  3. Quand est-ce que tu es libre cette semaine? (When are you free this week?)
  4. Est-ce que le musée est ouvert le dimanche? (Is the museum open on Sundays?)

Cultural Insights

In France and other French-speaking countries, the week traditionally begins on Monday (lundi) and ends on Sunday (dimanche). This is slightly different from the United States, where the week starts on Sunday.

Also Read: 10 Engaging Ways To Practice French Conversation: Boost Your Language Skills Today!

Additionally, in many French-speaking countries, it’s common for businesses and shops to be closed on Sundays or to have limited hours.

French Days Of The Week Worksheet PDF Download

What are the French days of the week?

The French days of the week, or “les jours de la semaine,” are as follows:

  • Lundi (Monday)
  • Mardi (Tuesday)
  • Mercredi (Wednesday)
  • Jeudi (Thursday)
  • Vendredi (Friday)
  • Samedi (Saturday)
  • Dimanche (Sunday)
Is the first day of the week in France Monday or Sunday?

In France, the first day of the week is Monday (Lundi), as per the international standard ISO 8601.

How do you pronounce the French days of the week?

Here is a pronunciation guide for each day:

  • Lundi (luhn-DEE)
  • Mardi (mahr-DEE)
  • Mercredi (mehr-kruh-DEE)
  • Jeudi (juh-DEE)
  • Vendredi (vahn-druh-DEE)
  • Samedi (sahm-DEE)
  • Dimanche (dee-MAHNSH)
Are French days of the week masculine or feminine?

All French days of the week are masculine. For example, you would say “le Lundi” (Monday) or “un Mardi” (a Tuesday).

How do I ask “What day is it?” in French?

To ask “What day is it?” in French, you would say “Quel jour sommes-nous?” or “Quel jour est-ce?”

How do I say “on” a specific day in French?

To say “on” a specific day in French, you would typically use the preposition “le.” For example, “on Monday” would be “le Lundi” and “on Saturday” would be “le Samedi.”

How can I say “every” or “each” day of the week in French?

To express “every” or “each” day of the week, you can use “tous les” followed by the day. For example, “every Monday” would be “tous les Lundis” and “every Saturday” would be “tous les Samedis.”

Conclusion

Learning the days of the week in French is an essential skill for beginners. It will help you make plans, ask and answer questions about your routine, and understand cultural norms in French-speaking countries.

Practice the pronunciation and examples provided in this blog post, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering the days of the week in French. Bonne chance!

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