{"id":70317,"date":"2019-11-18T08:47:47","date_gmt":"2019-11-18T13:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/italian-days-of-the-week\/"},"modified":"2025-02-04T05:14:21","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T10:14:21","slug":"italian-days-of-the-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/italian\/italian-days-of-the-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Italian Days of the Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

Knowing the Italian days of the week is necessary for various reasons.<\/p>\n

It helps you schedule coffee dates with native speakers, figure out plans with friends, as well as avoid the museum on the one day of the week it\u2019s actually closed.<\/p>\n

In this post, we\u2019ll look into each day of the week<\/strong>, as well as cultural tidbits to get to know the Italians a little better.<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s begin learning about\u00a0la settimana\u00a0<\/em>(the week)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Days of the Week in Italian<\/h2>\n

Most Italian days of the week\u00a0end with\u00a0-d\u00ec<\/em>, much like how our English days end with -day.\u00a0 This is because\u00a0-d\u00ec<\/em>\u00a0is a derivative of the Latin word for day,\u00a0from which we get phrases like per diem<\/em> (per day).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Italian<\/th>English<\/th>Phonetic Pronunciation<\/th>IPA Pronunciation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Luned\u00ec <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Monday<\/td>loo-ne-DEE<\/td>[lune\u02c8di]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marted\u00ec <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Tuesday<\/td>mar-te-DEE<\/td>[marte\u02c8di]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mercoled\u00ec <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Wednesday<\/td>MER-ko-le-DEE<\/td>[merkole\u02c8di]
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gioved\u00ec <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Thursday<\/td>jo-ve-DEE<\/td>[d\u0292ove\u02c8di]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Venerd\u00ec <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Friday<\/td>ve-ner-DEE<\/td>[vener\u02c8di]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sabato <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Saturday<\/td>SA-ba-to<\/td>[\u02c8sabato]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Domenica <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Sunday<\/td>do-ME\u2013nee-ka<\/td>[do\u02c8menika]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

As you’ll see, the days of the week each correspond with a celestial body and in turn, a Roman god or goddess. The exception to this is Sunday, which was named after the Christian god.<\/p>\n

Let’s now have a look at each day in more detail.<\/p>\n

1. Luned\u00ec<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Monday<\/h3>\n

Pronunciation: <\/strong>loo-ne-DEE<\/p>\n

Abbreviation:<\/strong> lun.<\/p>\n

Luned\u00ec<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0comes from the day of the lunar moon and is considered to be the beginning of the workweek.<\/p>\n

While Americans tend not to like Monday, Italians may greet you with a \u201cBuon\u00a0luned\u00ec<\/strong>\u201d<\/em> (Happy Monday!).<\/p>\n

As they start their workweek, Italians will usually start working at 8 am and don’t take their lunch until 1 pm. But when they do take their lunch, they take it seriously.<\/p>\n

The extended lunch is called riposo<\/strong><\/em>, lasts anywhere from two to four hours and usually includes home-cooked meals, a nap or some errands. It’s also very often called riposino,<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0which is a diminutive of riposo<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although it’s not as common in the big cities, this cultural norm clearly demonstrates the Italian emphasis on work-life balance.<\/p>\n

2. Marted\u00ec\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0Tuesday<\/h3>\n

Pronunciation: <\/strong>mar-te-DEE<\/p>\n

Abbreviation:\u00a0<\/strong>mar.<\/p>\n

We go now to the second day of the workweek (and to more riposo<\/em>)\u2014marted\u00ec<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This day’s namesake is the planet Mars, also the name of the Roman god of war.\u00a0<\/p>\n

3. Mercoled\u00ec<\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Wednesday<\/h3>\n

Pronunciation: <\/strong>MER-ko-le-DEE<\/p>\n

Abbreviation:\u00a0<\/strong>mer.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Wednesday, the third day of the workweek, and the day of the planet Mercury, aka the Roman god of commerce.<\/p>\n

Since the day is represented by a god of commerce, it only makes sense that it would also be the market day for the city of Siena.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can go to Siena’s market on mercoled\u00ec<\/em>\u00a0and find everything from food to wine to household goods.<\/p>\n

4. Gioved\u00ec<\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Thursday<\/h3>\n

Pronunciation: <\/strong>jo-ve-DEE<\/p>\n

Abbreviation:\u00a0<\/strong>gio.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve come to the middle of the week, named after Jupiter (god of the sky)\u2014gioved\u00ec<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

By this time, you’re not quite to the weekend, but you’re close enough that you’re starting to have that sense of relaxation.<\/p>\n

The Italians have an expression that embodies that exact feeling: Sei come il gioved\u00ec<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(You’re like Thursday).<\/p>\n

Just as gioved\u00ec<\/em> is in the middle of the week, the expression refers to someone who\u2019s always in the middle of some dramatic situation, whether it\u2019s something about their job, their family or their love life.<\/p>\n

So if someone tells you you’re like Thursday in Italy, just know that they are calling you a drama queen.\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. Venerd\u00ec\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 Friday<\/h3>\n

Pronunciation: <\/strong>ve-ner-DEE<\/p>\n

Abbreviation:\u00a0<\/strong>ven.<\/p>\n

Thank God (or Venus, the goddess of love) it\u2019s Friday! Unless it\u2019s venerd\u00ec<\/strong>…<\/em> the 17th.<\/p>\n

In other countries, peoples’ hearts skip a beat when it\u2019s Friday the 13th.\u00a0 However, if you go to Italy, you’ll find that 13 is actually a lucky number and it’s the 17th that sends chills down everyone’s spines.<\/p>\n

The Italians are extremely superstitious about this date, so much so that people will skip work or even entirely close down their businesses.<\/p>\n

This is because the number 17, when written in Roman numerals, is XVII. Italians see this as an anagram for VIXI<\/em>, which means \u201cI have lived,\u201d as in you’re currently dead.<\/p>\n

The superstition is so widely observed that you might find it difficult to get onto the 17th\u00a0floor of an Italian hotel or find a seat on the 17th\u00a0row in the theater.<\/p>\n

6. Sabato<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Saturday<\/h3>\n

Pronunciation: <\/strong>SA-ba-to<\/p>\n

Abbreviation:\u00a0<\/strong>sab.<\/p>\n

Ah,\u00a0sabato<\/em><\/strong>… the first full day of the weekend.<\/p>\n

As you can see, sabato<\/em><\/strong> is very similar to the Spanish s\u00e1bado<\/em>, both of which are based on the Latin sabbatum<\/em> and the Hebrew S<\/em>habbat<\/em> meaning “sabbath” or “day of rest.”<\/p>\n

7. Domenica<\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Sunday<\/h3>\n

Pronunciation: <\/strong>do-ME-nee-ka<\/p>\n

Abbreviation:\u00a0<\/strong>dom.<\/p>\n

This is the only day of the week in honor of the Christian God rather than a Roman God. This is rather fitting, considering that this is most Christian Italians’ day of worship.<\/p>\n

Aside from going to church, Italians love easy Sundays. After all, it’s the fine settimana\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(weekend).<\/p>\n

Especially in smaller cities and towns across the country, domenica<\/em> <\/strong>can easily be spent lazying around or spending time with friends and family.<\/p>\n

Italians will typically hold a Sunday lunch or dinner that will carry on for hours and be full of food, wine and conversation. If there\u2019s time, a passeggiata<\/em><\/strong> (a stroll) might be needed to walk off all that pasta and enjoy the outdoors.<\/p>\n

Useful Vocabulary for Talking About the Days of the Week<\/h2>\n

Since you’re already familiar with the Italian days of the week, I\u2019ll show you essential phrases that you can use them with. Whether you\u2019re planning a trip or making an appointment, you’ll want to know these vocabulary<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that definite articles like la<\/em><\/strong>, il <\/em><\/strong>and lo<\/em><\/strong> are usually not used before days of the week unless\u00a0you mean that something happens \u201cevery time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Italian<\/th>English<\/th>Example<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Oggi \u00e8... <\/a>\n \u00a0 <\/em><\/td>Today is...<\/td> Oggi \u00e8 marted\u00ec. <\/a>\n <\/em>
\n(Today is Tuesday.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ieri era... <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Yesterday was...<\/td> Ieri era luned\u00ec. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(Yesterday was Monday.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Domani sar\u00e0... <\/a>\n \u00a0\/ Domani \u00e8 <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Tomorrow will be...<\/td> Domani sar\u00e0 mercoled\u00ec. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(Tomorrow is Wednesday.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
... prossimo <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Next...<\/td> Vado al cinema luned\u00ec prossimo. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(I'm going to the movies next Monday.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
... scorso <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Last...<\/td> Siamo andati al museo marted\u00ec scorso. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(We went to the museum last Tuesday.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Giorni feriali <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Weekdays<\/td> Prendo lezioni di italiano durante i giorni feriali. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(I take Italian classes on weekdays.)
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fine settimana <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Weekend<\/td> Lo scorso fine settimana siamo stati ad una festa di compleanno. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(Last weekend, I went to a birthday party.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A met\u00e0 settimana <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Midweek<\/td> Lei cena sempre con le sue amiche a met\u00e0 settimana. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(She always has dinner with her friends midweek.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Questa settimana <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>This week<\/td> Stiamo trasferendoci in un nuovo appartamento questa settimana. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(We're moving to a new apartment this week.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Giorni festivi <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Holidays<\/td> La maggior parte dei negozi saranno chiusi durante le giorni festivi. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(Most shops will be closed during the holidays.)
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tutti i giorni <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Every day<\/td> Cerco di fare jogging per 30 minuti tutti i giorni. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(I try to jog for 30 minutes every day.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dal... al... <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>From... to...<\/td> Vado a scuola solo dal marted\u00ec al venerd\u00ec. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(I only go to school from Tuesday to Friday.)
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fino a... <\/a>\n \u00a0 <\/em><\/td>Until...<\/td> Saremo a Milano fino a mercoled\u00ec. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(We'll be in Milan until Wednesday.)
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ogni <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Every...<\/td> Ogni luned\u00ec faccio un salto al negozio di alimentari. <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(Every Monday, I drop by the grocery store.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Buon fine settimana! <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/td>Have a nice weekend!<\/td> Buon fine settimana! A luned\u00ec! <\/a>\n \u00a0<\/em>
\n(Have a nice weekend! See you on Monday!)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

To get the hang of these time-related phrases,\u00a0try to listen to native speakers actually use the vocabulary.<\/p>\n

This is where Italian movies<\/a>, series<\/a> and podcasts<\/a> come in handy. If you don’t have time for a full-length episode, FluentU<\/a> has hundreds of short and engaging Italian media clips.<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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