fundjavë

Fundjavë is the Albanian term for the weekend, the two-day period at the end of the week, usually consisting of Saturday and Sunday. The word is formed from fund, meaning end, and javë, meaning week. In everyday usage, fundjavë denotes the time set aside for rest, socializing, and leisure, as opposed to the working days that precede it.

The term is widely used across Albanian-speaking communities, including Albania, Kosovo, and parts of North Macedonia and Montenegro, as well as in the Albanian-speaking diaspora. It appears in media, education, advertising, and public discourse to refer to weekend events, schedules, and activities. The concept aligns with the global idea of a two-day rest period, though patterns of work, schooling, and religious observance can affect how people spend the days.

Culturally, the weekend is associated with family time, outings, shopping, and cultural or religious activities, depending on individual beliefs and local traditions. In urban areas, many people use Saturday for errands or social gatherings, while Sunday can be observed as a day of rest or a day for religious services among adherents of various faiths. Overall, fundjavë functions as a practical division of the week and a social rhythm in Albanian-speaking societies.