Language/Latin/Vocabulary/Days-of-the-Week

Latin Vocabulary - Days of the Week

Hi Latin learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to say the days of the week in Latin. Being able to speak a language is not just about knowing grammar rules, it is also about understanding the culture that comes with it. That is why we will also explore some interesting facts about each day. Let's get started! Don't forget that you can always improve your Latin vocabulary by checking out the Vocabulary section of the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Welcome to our lesson on Latin Vocabulary → Days of the Week! 📅 In this lesson, we will explore the fascinating world of Latin language and learn how to say the days of the week in Latin. As you progress in your Latin studies, you might also be interested in other related topics, such as Latin Vocabulary - Asking Directions, Adverbs in Latin, and How to say Good Bye? in Latin. So, let's dive in and expand our Latin vocabulary together! 😊

The Days of the Week

In Latin, the days of the week are named after celestial objects, gods, and other mythological figures. Here are the Latin names for the days of the week:

Latin	Pronunciation	English
Dies Solis	/diːs ˈsɒlɪs/	Sunday (Day of the Sun)
Dies Lunae	/diːs ˈluːnaɪ/	Monday (Day of the Moon)
Dies Martis	/diːs ˈmɑːrtɪs/	Tuesday (Day of Mars)
Dies Mercurii	/diːs mɛrˈkjuːriɪ/	Wednesday (Day of Mercury)
Dies Iovis	/diːs ˈjovɪs/	Thursday (Day of Jupiter)
Dies Veneris	/diːs ˈvɛnɛrɪs/	Friday (Day of Venus)
Dies Saturni	/diːs saːtʊrˈniː/	Saturday (Day of Saturn)

Although the modern English names for the weekdays do not have direct links to their corresponding Latin counterparts, it is still interesting to note that the English language has been influenced by Latin. For example, the English word "Saturday" comes from the Latin word "Saturni dies", which means the "day of Saturn".

Interesting Facts about each Day

Sunday

Sunday is named after the Sun, which was a symbol of life, energy, and vitality. The ancient Romans believed that the Sun was a god that provided warmth and light to the world, and they honored this god by building temples and holding festivals in his honor. Sunday was originally called "dies solis" or "day of the Sun".

Monday

Monday is named after the Moon, which was a symbol of mystery, magic, and femininity. The ancient Romans believed that the Moon was a goddess who controlled the tides and the seasons, and they honored this goddess by offering sacrifices and prayers. Monday was originally called "dies lunae" or "day of the Moon".

Tuesday

Tuesday is named after Mars, the Roman god of war, courage, and victory. The ancient Romans believed that Mars was the most powerful and fearsome god, and they honored him by building temples and holding gladiatorial games in his honor. Tuesday was originally called "dies Martis" or "day of Mars".

Wednesday

Wednesday is named after Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, messages, and travelers. The ancient Romans believed that Mercury was a clever and eloquent god who could travel between the world of the living and the world of the dead, and they honored him by building temples and offering sacrifices. Wednesday was originally called "dies Mercurii" or "day of Mercury".

Thursday

Thursday is named after Jupiter, the Roman king of gods and skies. The ancient Romans believed that Jupiter was the protector of the city of Rome and the father of all gods and men, and they honored him by building temples and holding games in his honor. Thursday was originally called "dies Iovis" or "day of Jupiter".

Friday

Friday is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of beauty, love, and fertility. The ancient Romans believed that Venus was the most beautiful goddess and the mother of the Roman people, and they honored her by building temples and holding festivals in her honor. Friday was originally called "dies Veneris" or "day of Venus".

Saturday

Saturday is named after Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture, wealth, and time. The ancient Romans believed that Saturn was the oldest and wisest god, and they honored him by building temples and holding Saturnalia, a festival of light and happiness. Saturday was originally called "dies Saturni" or "day of Saturn".

Dialogue

Person 1: Hodie est dies Mercurii. (Today is Wednesday.) Person 2: Gratias tibi ago. (Thank you.) Person 1: Quid agis hodie? (What are you doing today?) Person 2: Maneo domi. Tu quoque? (I am staying at home. What about you?) Person 1: Vado ad scholam. (I am going to school.)

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed learning the days of the week in Latin, as well as discovering some interesting facts about each day. Remember that the more you practice, the better you will get. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below. 😎

As you continue to explore the Latin language, you might also be interested in learning about Latin colors, Latin food items, and basic Latin phrases. These topics will help you expand your vocabulary and further immerse yourself in this fascinating language.

Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. And don't forget to check out the sources used for this lesson:

- Latin for the New Millennium, Level 1 Student Textbook by Milena Minkova and Terence Tunberg - The Romans: An Introduction by Antony Kamm

Happy learning! 📚