dimanche

Dimanche is the French word for Sunday, the day of the week traditionally associated with rest and religious observance in many Christian cultures. In Western calendars it is commonly considered the last day of the week, though some systems treat it as the first day. In everyday usage, French speakers typically write dimanche in lowercase.

Etymology and history

Dimanche derives from Latin dies Dominicus, meaning “the day of the Lord,” through Old French dimenche and Middle French dimanche. The term reflects the Christian liturgical designation of Sunday as a special day within the weekly cycle, an association that shaped its use in European languages during the Middle Ages and beyond.

Usage and cultural context

In Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox communities, Sunday is traditionally a day for worship services, family time, and rest. In many Francophone countries, Sunday is also part of the weekend, with commercial and leisure activities often concentrated on that day, though practices vary by country and era. The word appears in common expressions such as dimanche matin (Sunday morning) and dimanche après-midi (Sunday afternoon).

See also

Sunday in French contexts; Days of the week in French; Christian liturgy.

Notes

The French term is generally capitalized only at the start of a sentence or in titles; otherwise it remains lowercase. As a calendar term, dimanche designates Sunday in French-language usage and is distinct from other days of the week both linguistically and culturally in Francophone regions.