Days of the Week in Spanish

When a person starts learning Spanish, the topic of days of the week appears among the first ones. These words are used constantly: in schedules, messages, conversations about plans and travel. Without knowing the days of the week, it is difficult to understand dates, arrange meetings, and build even simple sentences.

In Spanish, the days of the week are written with a lowercase letter. For many students this seems unusual because in some languages such words are written with a capital letter.
For example:

• Hoy es martes.
• El viernes tengo clases.

Trabajo los lunes.

Such forms are often used:

• in class schedules;
• in electronic calendars;
• in tickets;

in work schedules.

During conversations, native speakers regularly use simple constructions.
For example:

• ¿Qué día es hoy?
• ¿Qué haces el sábado?
• ¿Trabajas los lunes?

Such phrases help people get used to the topic faster and begin using new words in everyday speech.

Many Spanish days of the week appeared back in Ancient Rome. Their names are connected with planets, deities, and religious traditions.

• Lunes

The word lunes is connected with the Moon. In Latin, the expression Lunae dies was used, which meant “day of the Moon.”

• Martes

The name martes is connected with Mars, the god of war. That is why the word resembles the name of the planet Mars.

• Miércoles

Miércoles comes from the name Mercury. In ancient Roman tradition, this day was dedicated specifically to him.

• Jueves

Jueves is connected with Jupiter. The Latin form contained the name of the supreme god of Roman mythology.

• Viernes

The name viernes is connected with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

• Sábado

The word sábado has a different origin. It is connected with the Hebrew Sabbath.

• Domingo

Domingo comes from the Latin word Dominicus. The meaning is connected with the “day of the Lord.”

Many people try to learn the days of the week in one evening, but after a few days the words start getting mixed up. Regular repetition and using vocabulary in real life work much better.

• Use the Days of the Week Every Day

The most effective way is to start regularly using the new words.
For example:

• Hoy es lunes.
• Mañana es martes.
• El viernes descanso.

Even short phrases help people get used to new constructions faster.

• Connect the Days of the Week with Habits

Memorization becomes easier if the words are connected with specific events.
For example:

• lunes — beginning of the working week;
• viernes — end of work;
• domingo — rest.

This way the brain creates associations faster.

• Repeat the Words Out Loud

Spanish pronunciation plays an important role. Simply reading is not enough.
It is useful to:

• pronounce the days of the week;
• listen to audio;
• repeat phrases;
• read the calendar in Spanish.

After some time the words start being perceived automatically.

• Switch Your Phone to Spanish

Many students memorize the days of the week faster after changing the language of their phone or calendar.
When words constantly appear before the eyes, the brain naturally gets used to them.

• Learn the Days of the Week in Sequence

It is better to memorize not separate words but the entire week:

• lunes;
• martes;
• miércoles;
• jueves;
• viernes;
• sábado;
• domingo.

This makes it much easier to catch the sequence.

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