The Days of the Week in Italian
1. Lunedì (Monday)
Lunedì is the first day of the week in Italy. It derives its name from the Latin term “dies Lunae,” which means “day of the Moon.”
2. Martedì (Tuesday)
Martedì comes from the Latin term “dies Martis,” which translates to “day of Mars” in English. Mars was the Roman god of war.
3. Mercoledì (Wednesday)
The Italian term for Wednesday, Mercoledì, is derived from “dies Mercurii” in Latin, meaning “day of Mercury.” Mercury was the Roman god of trade and commerce.
4. Giovedì (Thursday)
Giovedì is derived from the Latin term “dies Iovis,” meaning “day of Jupiter.” Jupiter was the supreme god in Roman mythology.
5. Venerdì (Friday)
Venerdì is the Italian term for Friday, which comes from the Latin term “dies Veneris,” meaning the “day of Venus.” Venus was the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
6. Sabato (Saturday)
Sabato in Italian is the equivalent of Saturday in English. The term is derived from the Hebrew word “Sabbath,” referring to the day of rest in Judaism.
7. Domenica (Sunday)
Domenica is the Italian name for Sunday. It comes from the Latin term “dies Dominicus,” meaning “the Lord’s day” or “day of the Lord.”
Italian Weekday Abbreviations
In Italy, weekdays are often abbreviated. Here are the common abbreviations used:
- Lun (Mon) – Monday
- Mar (Tue) – Tuesday
- Mer (Wed) – Wednesday
- Gio (Thu) – Thursday
- Ven (Fri) – Friday
- Sab (Sat) – Saturday
- Dom (Sun) – Sunday
The weekdays in Italy, or “giorni della settimana,” follow a similar pattern as in many other Western countries. Understanding the Italian names and meanings of the days of the week can be helpful when planning your calendar, scheduling appointments, or simply engaging in conversations with locals. Remember to use the appropriate abbreviations for efficient communication. Now that you are familiar with the weekdays in Italy, you can confidently navigate the Italian calendar and embrace the rhythm of Italian life!