Saturday

Saturday is the sixth day of the modern seven-day week in many calendars, occurring between Friday and Sunday. In the Gregorian system its position is fixed, though some calendars place Sunday as the first day, which can affect whether Saturday is the 6th or 7th day. In the ISO week date system, Monday is the first day, making Saturday the sixth day of the week.

Etymology and naming vary by language. English Saturday derives from Old English Sæternesdæg, meaning “Saturn’s day,” named after the Roman god Saturn. In many other languages the day is linked to the Sabbath or a form of the root for Sabbath: for example, Spanish sábado; Italian sabato; French samedi; German Sonnabend or Samstag; Russian суббота (subbota). This reflects historical shifts between planetary, religious, and linguistic naming traditions.

Cultural and religious significance varies. In Judaism, Shabbat spans Friday evening to Saturday evening and is observed as a day of rest. In many Christian traditions, Saturday is not the primary day of worship, which is commonly held on Sunday, though some groups regard Saturday as a Sabbath. Among Christians that observe Saturday as Sabbath, the day is treated as a time of rest and worship. In everyday usage, Saturday is widely associated with leisure and weekend activities in many parts of the world.

Economy and society. In many countries Saturday is part of the weekend and a regular day off, with shops and services often operating with shorter hours. In places with five-day workweeks, Saturday may be a working day or a mixed day. Sports and cultural events frequently take place on Saturdays, reflecting its role as a popular day for public activity.