pátek

Pátek is the Czech word for Friday, the fifth day of the week in the Czech Republic. It is used in calendars and everyday language to designate the end of the work or school week and the anticipation of the weekend. In phrases it appears as páteční, meaning “Friday” as an adjective (e.g., pátek večer for Friday evening).

Etymology and cognates: The term derives from Proto-Slavic *pětьkъ, from the root for the numeral five, reflecting the idea of the fifth day. Related forms appear in other Slavic languages, such as Polish piątek, Russian pyatnitsa (пятница), and Serbo-Croatian petak, all meaning Friday and sharing the same numerical origin.

Usage and cultural notes: In Czech culture, activities and public life often shift toward Friday as the start of the weekend. The phrase Velký pátek denotes Good Friday in the Christian liturgical calendar, while Černý pátek is used in modern contexts for Black Friday shopping. Pátek is also a surname in the Czech Republic and Slovakia; it is borne by various individuals in different fields.

See also: Piątek (Polish form of Friday), Pyatnitsa (Russian form), Petak (Serbo-Croatian form).

In summary, pátek is the Czech term for Friday, linked to the numerical concept of the fifth day and shared across several Slavic languages, with additional cultural and linguistic uses beyond the simple weekday designation.