Meaning
Refers to Saturday and Sunday, the end of the week.
Cultural Background
The 'repas du dimanche' is a long-standing tradition where families gather for a multi-course meal that can last several hours. Linguistic identity is very important. Using 'fin de semaine' instead of 'week-end' is a way to protect the French language from English influence. Like France, 'le week-end' is the standard term. Belgians often use the weekend to visit 'brocantes' (flea markets). In urban centers, 'le week-end' is used similarly to France, often associated with going to 'maquis' (casual restaurants/bars) or family events like weddings.
No Preposition Needed
When saying 'this weekend' or 'next weekend', just say 'ce week-end' or 'le week-end prochain'. No 'on' or 'at'!
Quebec Usage
If you are in Montreal, try to use 'fin de semaine' to sound more like a local.
Meaning
Refers to Saturday and Sunday, the end of the week.
No Preposition Needed
When saying 'this weekend' or 'next weekend', just say 'ce week-end' or 'le week-end prochain'. No 'on' or 'at'!
Quebec Usage
If you are in Montreal, try to use 'fin de semaine' to sound more like a local.
The plural 's'
In 'les week-ends', the 's' is silent. Don't pronounce it!
Bon week-end !
Always say this to shopkeepers or colleagues on Friday afternoon. It's a key social lubricant.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct article (le, ce, or bon).
___ week-end, je vais à Paris.
We use 'Ce' (this) when referring to the specific upcoming weekend.
Which phrase is the most natural way to wish someone a good weekend on a Friday?
Comment dit-on 'Have a good weekend' ?
'Week-end' is masculine, so we use 'Bon'.
Match the French phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the most common time expressions using 'week-end'.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate response.
A: Qu'est-ce que tu fais ce week-end ? B: ________.
The question asks about future plans ('ce week-end'), so the answer should be in the future or present.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
France vs Quebec
Practice Bank
4 exercises___ week-end, je vais à Paris.
We use 'Ce' (this) when referring to the specific upcoming weekend.
Comment dit-on 'Have a good weekend' ?
'Week-end' is masculine, so we use 'Bon'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most common time expressions using 'week-end'.
A: Qu'est-ce que tu fais ce week-end ? B: ________.
The question asks about future plans ('ce week-end'), so the answer should be in the future or present.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine: le week-end.
Yes, but it usually means the end of the work week (Thursday/Friday), not the weekend itself.
You can say 'un week-end prolongé' or 'un long week-end'.
Yes, it is one of the most common anglicisms in the French language.
Simply say 'le week-end' or 'pendant le week-end'.
It's when you take an extra day off to connect a holiday to the weekend.
Yes, it is usually pronounced clearly in French.
Add an 's': les week-ends. The pronunciation remains the same.
Common activities include family meals, shopping at markets, and DIY projects (bricolage).
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in all but the most extremely formal academic or legal texts.
Related Phrases
La fin de semaine
synonymThe end of the week
Faire le pont
builds onTo make a bridge
La grasse matinée
similarTo sleep in
Le congé
similarTime off / Holiday
Samedi et dimanche
specialized formSaturday and Sunday
