French days of the week: names, pronunciation and examples
Published August 10, 2026 · 6 min read
Learning the days of the week is one of the first steps to speaking French naturally. Whether you are planning your week in Dubai, booking a class, or chatting with French-speaking friends, you will use les jours de la semaine every single day.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to master them: correct spelling, easy pronunciation, French week culture, and practical examples you can use right away.
What are the days of the week in French?
In French, there are seven days, just like in English. Here is the complete list with correct spelling, les jours de la semaine :
- lundi (Monday)
- mardi (Tuesday)
- mercredi (Wednesday)
- jeudi (Thursday)
- vendredi (Friday)
- samedi (Saturday)
- dimanche (Sunday)
The weekend is le week-end, Saturday is samedi and Sunday is dimanche.
Quick tip for beginners : in French, days of the week are always masculine and are never capitalized unless they start a sentence. We write lundi, not Lundi.
How do you pronounce each day correctly?
French pronunciation can be tricky, but the days of the week all share the same ending -di, pronounced [dee]. Listen and repeat slowly.
| French | Phonetic [IPA] | Easy sound for English speakers | Audio tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| lundi | [lœ̃.di] | luhn-DEE | nasal un like in lunch |
| mardi | [maʊ.di] | mar-DEE | soft French R |
| mercredi | [mɛʊ.kʊə.di] | mehr-kruh-DEE | don’t forget the middle re |
| jeudi | [ʒø.di] | zhuh-DEE | zh like in vision |
| vendredi | [vɑ̃.dʊə.di] | vahn-druh-DEE | nasal an |
| samedi | [sam.di] | sam-DEE | simple and clear |
| dimanche | [di.mɑ̃ʃ] | dee-MAHNSH | nasal an + soft sh |
Practice with us : try to say lundi, mardi, mercredi… in one breath. For learners in the UAE, we recommend listening to native audio and shadowing. All our courses at French Tuitions include audio pronunciation drills.
Want to pronounce every day of the week like a native?
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Book my free discovery call →Where do the French day names come from?
Understanding the origin helps you memorize them forever. Like English, French days come from planets and Roman gods.
- lundi = Moon day (Lune)
- mardi = Mars day (Mars)
- mercredi = Mercury day (Mercure)
- jeudi = Jupiter day (Jupiter)
- vendredi = Venus day (Vénus)
- samedi = Saturn day (Saturne)
- dimanche = Lord’s day (from Latin dies dominicus)
How is the week structured in French culture?
This is essential for expats to know. In France, and on all French calendars, the week starts on Monday (lundi), not Sunday.
- Monday to Friday are les jours de la semaine (weekdays)
- Saturday and Sunday are le week-end
- In business, the French work week is typically du lundi au vendredi
So if someone in French says la semaine prochaine, they mean from next Monday onward.
Are there any special rules or exceptions?
Yes, and they are simple:
- No capital letters : j’aime le lundi, not j’aime le Lundi.
- No article needed for a general habit : Le lundi, je travaille = On Mondays, I work.
- Use le for repeated actions, no le for a single action : Je viens lundi (I am coming this Monday, one time) versus Je viens le lundi (I come on Mondays, every Monday).
- No s for the plural : tous les lundi is incorrect. We say tous les lundis if you really want to mark the plural, but usually we keep it singular with le.
How to use the days of the week in sentences?
Let’s make it practical. Here are ready-to-use phrases for your life in Dubai.
To make plans
- On se voit lundi ? (Shall we see each other on Monday?)
- J’ai un cours de français mardi matin. (I have a French class on Tuesday morning.)
- Nous sommes vendredi aujourd’hui. (Today is Friday.)
For work and routine
- Je travaille du lundi au jeudi. (I work from Monday to Thursday.)
- Le mercredi, je fais du yoga. (On Wednesdays, I do yoga.)
- Bon week-end ! Bon samedi et bon dimanche ! (Have a great weekend!)
Questions to ask
- Quel jour sommes-nous aujourd’hui ? (What day is it today?)
- Tu es libre samedi ? (Are you free on Saturday?)
Learning these patterns will immediately make your French sound more natural and confident.
Ready to build full sentences, not just vocabulary?
Whether you are a complete beginner or already comfortable with the basics, we offer private French courses tailored to expatriates in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the UAE.
See our course options →FAQ about the days of the week in French
Quick answers to the questions learners in Dubai and the UAE ask most often. Tap a question to open it.
What are the seven days of the week in French?
In order, they are lundi (Monday), mardi (Tuesday), mercredi (Wednesday), jeudi (Thursday), vendredi (Friday), samedi (Saturday) and dimanche (Sunday). All seven share the same ending, -di, which makes them easier to memorise as a group.
Are French days of the week capitalized?
No. Unlike English, French days of the week are never capitalized, unless they open a sentence. You write lundi, mardi, mercredi, not Lundi, Mardi, Mercredi. They are also always masculine: le lundi, un mardi.
Why does the French week start on Monday, not Sunday?
French calendars, and the calendar used across France, place Monday first. Monday to Friday form les jours de la semaine, the weekdays, while Saturday and Sunday form le week-end. This matters for expats: when someone says la semaine prochaine, next week, they mean starting from the coming Monday.
What is the difference between "lundi" and "le lundi"?
Lundi alone refers to one specific occurrence: Je viens lundi means I am coming this Monday, a single event. Le lundi signals a repeated habit: Le mercredi, je fais du yoga means I do yoga every Wednesday. Getting this article right is one of the fastest ways to sound more natural.
How do you pronounce the days of the week in French?
All seven days end in -di, pronounced [dee]. The main challenge for English speakers is the nasal vowels in lundi, mercredi, vendredi and dimanche, and the soft French r in mardi and mercredi. Listening to native audio and repeating out loud is the fastest way to fix them.
Where do the French day names come from?
Just like in English, most French day names come from planets and Roman gods: lundi from the Moon (Lune), mardi from Mars, mercredi from Mercury, jeudi from Jupiter, and vendredi from Venus. Samedi comes from Saturn, and dimanche comes from the Latin dies dominicus, the Lord's day.
How can I practise the days of the week in Dubai?
Use them for real planning: name your week out loud in French, note appointments with the French day, and greet colleagues with Bon lundi or Bonne semaine. For faster progress, a native teacher who corrects your pronunciation live makes the biggest difference. Our private online courses for learners in Dubai and across the UAE build these patterns into every session.
Your next step
You now know how to write, pronounce, and use every day of the week in French. The key now is to practice a little every day, chaque jour !
Want to go from memorizing to speaking fluently?
At French Tuitions, Dubai’s leading French school for expats, we offer personalized French classes for beginners and intermediate learners, both online and in-person across the UAE. With native teachers, audio support, and practical conversation focused on your life in Dubai, you will speak with confidence faster.
Ready to make every lundi a French day?
Contact French Tuitions today for a free level assessment and start your personalised learning journey.
Get my free level assessment →Continue learning French
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About Murielle Larrière
Native French teacher based in Dubai, DELF examiner, and founder of Dubai French Tuitions. Murielle has taught French to hundreds of expatriates across the UAE, from absolute beginners to executives preparing for the DELF exam. Read her full story →
