Torsdagen

Torsdagen is the definite form of torsdag, the Swedish name for Thursday. It denotes the day between Wednesday and Friday. In most contemporary calendars that follow the ISO 8601 standard, the week begins on Monday, so Thursday is the fourth day of the week. Torsdagen is used when referring to a specific Thursday, while torsdag is used for Thursdays in general.

Etymology and cognates: Torsdag derives from Old Norse Þórsdagr, meaning “Thor’s day,” named after the Norse god Thor. The Swedish form is cognate with Danish torsdag and Norwegian torsdag, all reflecting the same Thor-based origin. The naming pattern is shared with other Germanic languages, while the weekday order and additional cultural associations have evolved over time.

Historical and cultural context: The weekday names in Swedish have roots in Norse mythology and were retained through the medieval period into modern usage. While religious practices shifted, the day names remained as secular labels for the days of the week. In contemporary Swedish culture, Thursday is often perceived as the precursor to the weekend, and various regional or modern expressions have emerged.

Usage and examples: Torsdagen is used to describe a particular Thursday, for example, “Torsdagen den 12 april” (Thursday, 12 April). In everyday speech, people usually say “på torsdag” to mean “on Thursday” in general, while “på torsdagen” emphasizes a specific Thursday. A modern colloquial phrase is “torsdagsmys,” referring to Thursday evening relaxation.

See also: Days of the week, Thor, Norse mythology, Swedish language.