Sonntage

Sonntage denotes Sundays in German usage. The term comes from Old High German Sunnuntag, related to the English Sunday; both derive from a word meaning the Sun. In Western calendars, Sunday is typically the last day of the week, though some cultures treat it as the week’s start.

Religious significance: In Christianity, Sunday is often called the Lord's Day and is a day for church services, prayer, and rest. Observance varies by denomination and region, with some communities maintaining strict Sabbath-like norms and others following a more secular pace.

Social and legal context: In many countries Sunday is a weekly day of rest. Shops and businesses have historically closed or shortened hours (blue laws or Ruhetag). In recent decades hours have liberalized in many places, though restrictions persist in others and in rural areas.

Regional variation and liturgical use: Across cultures, Sunday is part of the weekend in most of Europe, Latin America, and parts of Africa. In Muslim-majority countries, Friday is the primary day of worship and Sunday may be a normal workday. In German-speaking regions, Sundays also structure the liturgical year with named Sundays in the church calendar.