Weekdays are an essential part of our daily lives, helping us organize time and plan activities. They are simple, familiar, and easy to remember. In this article, we’ll explore the names of the weekdays in English and Hindi, learn about related terms, and abbreviations, and discover the history behind the naming of the days. We will also clarify the concepts of weekdays and weekends.
In both English and Hindi, abbreviations are commonly used for convenience, especially in calendars and schedules:
Hindi Abbreviations(used informally in short forms or calendars):
सोमवार – सोम (Som)
मंगलवार – मंगल (Mangal)
बुधवार – बुध (Budh)
गुरुवार – गुरु (Guru)
शुक्रवार – शुक्र (Shukra)
शनिवार – शनि (Shani)
रविवार – रवि (Ravi)
English Abbreviations:
Monday – Mon
Tuesday – Tue
Wednesday – Wed
Thursday – Thu
Friday – Fri
Saturday – Sat
Sunday – Sun
History Behind Weekday Names
The names of the days of the week have their roots in ancient traditions, particularly in astronomy and mythology.
In Hindi: The names of the weekdays are derived from Sanskrit and are linked to the planets and deities in Hindu mythology:
सोमवार (Somvaar) – Named after the Moon (सोम – Som).
मंगलवार (Mangalvaar) – Named after Mars (मंगल – Mangal).
बुधवार (Budhvaar) – Named after Mercury (बुध – Budh).
गुरुवार (Guruvaar) – Named after Jupiter (गुरु – Guru).
शुक्रवार (Shukravaar) – Named after Venus (शुक्र – Shukra).
शनिवार (Shanivaar) – Named after Saturn (शन – Shani).
रविवार (Ravivaar) – Named after the Sun (रवि – Ravi).
In English: The names of the days were derived from the Old English language and were based on the Norse gods and planets:
Monday – Named after the Moon (Moon’s day).
Tuesday – Named after Tiw (Norse god of war, associated with Mars).
Wednesday – Named after Woden (Norse god, associated with Mercury).
Thursday – Named after Thor (Norse god of thunder, associated with Jupiter).
Friday – Named after Frigg (Norse goddess of love, associated with Venus).
Saturday – Named after Saturn (Roman god of agriculture).
Sunday – Named after the Sun (Sun’s day).
What Are Weekdays and Weekends?
Weekdays: These are the days from Monday to Friday, generally considered working days in most parts of the world. People go to work or school, and businesses operate during weekdays.
Weekends: This term refers to the days that fall at the end of the week, typically Saturday and Sunday. These days are considered rest days or days for personal activities. In many countries, the workweek runs from Monday to Friday, and the weekend is reserved for relaxation, social activities, and family time.
Why Are Weekdays Important?
Weekdays help us structure our time and plan our activities. They serve as a guide for:
Business Operations: Most businesses operate primarily on weekdays, with weekends off or with reduced hours.
Work and School Schedules: People often follow a routine based on the weekdays, with certain obligations tied to specific days.
Cultural Traditions: Many cultures observe religious or social events on certain weekdays, like Friday prayers in Islam or Sunday church services in Christianity.