laupäev

Laupäev is the Estonian word for Saturday, the sixth day of the week in the standard calendar. It follows Friday (reede) and precedes Sunday (pühapäev). In contemporary Estonia, laupäev is part of the weekend and commonly a day for errands, shopping, leisure activities, sports, and time with family. Work and school schedules vary, with many institutions and businesses offering weekend hours or reduced services.

Etymology and tradition: The name Laupäev is traditionally interpreted as “wash day,” reflecting historical routines in households when certain chores were typically carried out. This origin is a characteristic shared with related Finnic languages and their names for Saturday.

Cultural notes: In practice, Saturdays often feature markets, cultural events, and various recreational activities. Many stores and services are open, while some public offices may have limited weekend hours. Religious practice in Estonia is diverse; Sunday is generally regarded as the main day of worship and rest for many people, while Saturday does not have a uniform nationwide religious status.