Days of the Week in Dutch

The days of the week in Dutch (de dagen van de week) reveal a fascinating blend of Germanic heritage and astronomical influences. Like English and German, Dutch weekday names maintain strong connections to Norse gods and celestial bodies, reflecting the shared linguistic ancestry of these Germanic languages.

Unlike German, Dutch follows the same capitalization rules as English when it comes to days of the week – they are written in lowercase unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence or in a title. This is one of many subtle differences between Dutch and its closest linguistic relatives.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about the Dutch days of the week, from pronunciation and etymology to cultural context and practical usage.

In Dutch, days of the week are not capitalized, unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence or in a title. This is different from German (which capitalizes all nouns) and similar to English (which capitalizes days of the week).

Examples of Correct Capitalization

• Correct: "Ik heb op maandag een afspraak." (I have an appointment on Monday.)
• Correct: "Maandag is de eerste dag van de week." (Monday is the first day of the week.)
• Incorrect: "Ik heb op Maandag een afspraak." (Incorrect capitalization)

Are Days of the Week Capitalized in Dutch?

No, days of the week in Dutch are not capitalized when used in regular text. They are only capitalized at the beginning of sentences or in titles, following the same pattern as most other European languages except German and English.

Dutch days of the week have fascinating etymological origins that blend Germanic mythology, celestial bodies, and ancient influences:

Origins and Meanings

• maandag: From "maan" (moon) + "dag" (day) = "Moon's day"
• dinsdag: Named after the Germanic god Tyr (also called Tiu), the god of war and justice. This is the Dutch equivalent of "Tuesday" (Tyr's day)
• woensdag: Named after the Germanic chief god Wodan (Odin), the equivalent of "Wednesday" (Wodan's day)
• donderdag: From "donder" (thunder) + "dag" (day), named after the Germanic god of thunder, Donar (Thor)
• vrijdag: Named after Freya or Frigg, the Norse goddess of love and fertility
• zaterdag: Derived from "Saturday," which ultimately comes from the Roman god Saturn. The Dutch term likely entered the language via Latin "Saturni dies" (Saturn's day)
• zondag: From "zon" (sun) + "dag" (day) = "Sun's day"

Days with Prepositions

In Dutch, days of the week are typically used with the preposition "op" (on) when referring to a specific day:

• "Op maandag ga ik naar de bioscoop." (On Monday I go to the cinema.)
• "Op dinsdag heb ik een afspraak." (On Tuesday I have an appointment.)

Expressing Recurring Events

For activities that happen regularly on a particular day, Dutch speakers often use the days with an -s suffix:

• "Maandags ga ik zwemmen." (On Mondays I go swimming.)
• Alternative: "Elke maandag ga ik zwemmen." (Every Monday I go swimming.)

Common Phrases with Days

• "Welke dag is het vandaag?" (What day is today?)
• "Vandaag is het vrijdag." (Today is Friday.)
• "Welke dag was het gisteren?" (What day was yesterday?)
• "Welke dag is het morgen?" (What day is tomorrow?)
• "op maandagochtend" (on Monday morning)
• "op dinsdagmiddag" (on Tuesday afternoon)
• "op woensdagavond" (on Wednesday evening)

Abbreviations

In calendars, schedules, and notes, Dutch days of the week are sometimes abbreviated as follows:

• ma - maandag
• di - dinsdag
• wo - woensdag
• do - donderdag
• vr - vrijdag
• za - zaterdag
• zo - zondag

In the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking regions, certain cultural practices and traditions are associated with specific days of the week:

Business and Social Customs

• Koopavond (Shopping Evening): In many Dutch towns and cities, shops stay open later (usually until 9 PM) on Thursday or Friday evening, known as "koopavond" (shopping evening).
• Zondagsrust (Sunday Rest): Traditionally, Sundays (zondag) were considered days of rest in the Netherlands. While many shops now open on Sundays, especially in larger cities and tourist areas, you'll still find some businesses closed, particularly in more religious communities.
• Werkweek (Work Week): The Dutch are famous for their work-life balance, with many people working part-time. The standard work week is often 36-40 hours, and it's common for people to have a "vrije dag" (day off) on Wednesday or Friday.

Traditional Food Associations

Some Dutch families and regions have traditional food associations for specific days:

• woensdag (Wednesday): In some Dutch families, this is traditionally "gehaktdag" (ground meat day) when many households would prepare dishes like "gehaktballen" (Dutch meatballs)
• vrijdag (Friday): Traditionally fish day in Catholic regions, though this tradition has faded in modern times
• zondag (Sunday): Often reserved for more elaborate family meals, potentially including traditional dishes like "stamppot" (mashed potatoes with vegetables) in winter

Regional Traditions

Some days have special regional significance:

• Woensdagmarkt (Wednesday Market): Many Dutch towns and cities have weekly markets on specific days, with Wednesday being a common market day in numerous locations
• Weekend Culture: The weekend in the Netherlands often starts on Friday afternoon, with the term "vrijdagmiddagborrel" (Friday afternoon drinks) being a common tradition in many workplaces

Pattern Recognition

Notice that all Dutch days end with "-dag" (meaning "day"). This pattern helps with both spelling and remembering that these words are all directly related to days.

God and Celestial Connections

Several Dutch days have clear connections to their English counterparts through shared Germanic mythology:

• maandag/Monday: Both relate to the Moon (maan/moon)
• dinsdag/Tuesday: Both relate to the war god Tyr
• woensdag/Wednesday: Both relate to Wodan/Odin
• donderdag/Thursday: Both relate to the thunder god (Donar/Thor)
• vrijdag/Friday: Both relate to the goddess Freya or Frigg
• zondag/Sunday: Both relate to the Sun (zon/sun)

Spelling Tips

Dutch spelling of days can be easier to remember with these tips:

• maandag: Contains "maan" (moon), spelled with double "a"
• dinsdag: Think "dins" (from Tiu's/Tyr's name in Dutch)
• woensdag: Contains "woens" (from "Wodan"), with "oe" representing the "oo" sound
• donderdag: Contains "donder" (thunder), linking it to Thor
• vrijdag: Contains "vrij" (free), which sounds similar to "Freya"
• zaterdag: Starts with "z" rather than "s" like in "Saturday"
• zondag: Contains "zon" (sun), short and simple

Dutch Days of the Week Song

A popular children's song for learning the Dutch days follows a simple, catchy melody:

Maandag, dinsdag, woensdag, donderdag, vrijdag, zaterdag, zondag,
Dat zijn de dagen van de week,
Zeven dagen heeft een week,
En dan begint het weer opnieuw.

(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
These are the days of the week,
Seven days has a week,
And then it starts again.)