The days of the week in Arabic are: الأحد (Al-Ahad — Sunday), الإثنين (Al-Ithnayn — Monday), الثلاثاء (Ath-Thulatha — Tuesday), الأربعاء (Al-Arba’a — Wednesday), الخميس (Al-Khamis — Thursday), الجمعة (Al-Jumu’ah — Friday), and السبت (As-Sabt — Saturday). Sunday through Thursday are named after the numbers one through five in Arabic. Friday means “congregation” and Saturday is related to the Hebrew “Sabbath.” Only Friday and Saturday are named in the Quran.

Key Takeaway Table:

Day	Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning	Number
Sunday	الأحد	Al-Ahad	The First	1 — أحد
Monday	الإثنين	Al-Ithnayn	The Second	2 — اثنان
Tuesday	الثلاثاء	Ath-Thulatha	The Third	3 — ثلاثة
Wednesday	الأربعاء	Al-Arba’a	The Fourth	4 — أربعة
Thursday	الخميس	Al-Khamis	The Fifth	5 — خمسة
Friday	الجمعة	Al-Jumu’ah	The Gathering	Not numerical
Saturday	السبت	As-Sabt	The Sabbath/Rest	Not numerical

The days of the week in Arabic don’t start like in the West. Some Islamic scholars say it’s Saturday, others say Sunday. But everyone agrees, it’s not Monday!

Now, the names from Sunday to Thursday in Arabic week? They come from numbers – one, two, three, four, five. As for Friday and Saturday, their Arabic names are mentioned in the Holy Quran as we’ll see.

I will explain everything slowly and clearly, so don’t worry.  Let’s learn Arabic days!

How to Say “Day” in Arabic?

First, “day” in Arabic is يوم (pronounced “yawm”). It’s a word you’ll use all the time when you speak Arabic, so it’s good to know it well.

Here’s how you can use it in a sentence:

اليوم يوم جميل
(al-yawm yawm jameel)
“Today is a beautiful day.”

See how “yawm” is used twice there?  First to mean “today,” and then to mean “day”!  

And here’s the plural of day in Arabic:  أيام (pronounced “ayyaam”).  This means “days”.

مرت أيامٌ جميلة
(marrat ayyaamun jameelah)
“Beautiful days passed.”

How to Say “Week” in Arabic?

“Week” in Arabic is pronounced asأُسْبُوعٌ (ʾusbūʿ) – The “ʿ” is a sound you make in the back of your throat, kind of like a soft growl.

For example, you might say:

هذا الأسبوعُ طويلٌ جدًا
(haatha al-usbuu’u taweelun jiddan!)
This week is very long!

And the plural of week in Arabic: أَسَابِيع (ʾasābīʿ) –  This is pronounced “a-sa-bee”.  

All 7 Days of the Week in Arabic: Complete Guide With Meanings and Examples

To make it easy for you, I will start the days of the week in Arabic with Sunday. This way, you can use the numbers to help you remember, up to five. Then, Friday and Saturday will be simple to learn after that!

You’ll notice all days of the Arabic week start with “al-” (الـ). This is the definite article in Arabic, like “the” in English.  So, “al-ahad” literally means “The Sunday”.  Why is it like this? Well, think of it this way: each day is a unique, specific entity, like “the sun” or “the moon.”  We are talking about that particular Sunday, that particular Monday, and so on.

Let’s explore each day in Arabic in detail with cultural insights, examples, and tips to remember them.

1. Sunday in Arabic – الأحد (Al-Ahad)

The Arabic word for Sunday is الأحد (Al-Ahad).

Feature	Details
Arabic Script	الأحد
Transliteration	Al-Ahad
Pronunciation	al-A-had (stress on second syllable)
Literal Meaning	The First (Day)
Number Root	أحد (ahad) = one
Quran Mention	Not mentioned by name
Week Position	Day 1 of the Arabic week

How to pronounce الأحد:

• “al” — like the “al” in “alligator,” short and clear
• “A” — a short open “a” sound, like in “cat”
• “had” — the ح (ha) is a soft, breathy “h” produced deep in the throat — breathe out strongly while slightly constricting your airway. It is not the same as the English “h”
• Full pronunciation: al — A — had with stress on the second syllable

Example sentences:

Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning
نبدأ الأسبوع يوم الأحد	nabda’ al-usboo’ yawm al-ahad	We start the week on Sunday.
اليوم الأحد	al-yawm al-ahad	Today is Sunday.
سأراك يوم الأحد	sa-araka yawm al-ahad	I will see you on Sunday.
لدي عمل يوم الأحد	ladayya ‘amal yawm al-ahad	I have work on Sunday.
كل أحد نجتمع معاً	kull ahad najtami’u ma’an	Every Sunday we gather together.

Cultural context:
In most Arab countries, Sunday is a full working and school day — the Arabic week begins on Sunday, not Monday. This reflects the traditional Islamic calendar where Sunday (the first day) follows Saturday (the day of rest in pre-Islamic Abrahamic tradition).

Memory tip: الأحد comes from أحد (ahad) = one. Sunday is Day 1 — the simplest connection in the entire Arabic week system.

2. Monday in Arabic – الإثنين (Al-Ithnayn)

The Arabic word for Monday is الإثنين (Al-Ithnayn).

Feature	Details
Arabic Script	الإثنين
Transliteration	Al-Ithnayn
Pronunciation	al-ITH-nayn (stress on second syllable)
Literal Meaning	The Second (Day)
Number Root	اثنان (ithnan) = two
Quran Mention	Not mentioned by name
Week Position	Day 2 of the Arabic week

How to pronounce الإثنين:

• “al” — the definite article, short “al”
• “ith” — this is the most important part: the ث (tha) sounds like “th” in the English word “think” or “three” — not like the “th” in “this” or “the.” It is a voiceless interdental fricative — place your tongue lightly between your teeth and breathe out
• “nayn” — rhymes with “mine,” a clear “ay” dipthong
• Full pronunciation: al — ITH — nayn with stress on “ITH”

Example sentences:

Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning
لدي موعد مع الطبيب يوم الإثنين	ladayya maw’id ma’a at-tabib yawm al-ithnayn	I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday.
يوم الإثنين بداية الأسبوع العملي	yawm al-ithnayn bidayat al-usboo’ al-‘amali	Monday is the start of the working week.
سأسافر يوم الإثنين	sa-usafir yawm al-ithnayn	I will travel on Monday.
لدينا اجتماع كل إثنين	ladayna ijtima’ kull ithnayn	We have a meeting every Monday.
يوم الإثنين يوم مشغول	yawm al-ithnayn yawm mashghool	Monday is a busy day.

Cultural context:
Monday is a standard working day across all Arab countries. Unlike some Western cultures where Monday carries negative associations (back to work after the weekend), Monday is simply the second day — business as usual after the weekend, which in most Arab countries falls on Friday and Saturday.

Memory tip: الإثنين comes from اثنان (ithnan) = two. Monday is Day 2. Think: “ith-TWO-nayn.

3. Tuesday in Arabic – الثلاثاء (Ath-Thulatha’)

The Arabic word for Tuesday is الثلاثاء (Ath-Thulatha’).

Feature	Details
Arabic Script	الثلاثاء
Transliteration	Ath-Thulāthā’
Pronunciation	ath-thu-LA-tha’ (stress on third syllable)
Literal Meaning	The Third (Day)
Number Root	ثلاثة (thalatha) = three
Quran Mention	Not mentioned by name
Week Position	Day 3 of the Arabic week

How to pronounce الثلاثاء:

• “ath” — the word begins with an assimilated “al” where the ل merges with the following ث, producing “ath” — like “th” in “three”
• “thu” — the second ث sound again: “th” as in “think,” followed by a short “oo” vowel
• “LA” — a clear, stressed long “a” sound: LAA
• “tha'” — ends with another “th” sound plus ء (hamza) — a brief glottal stop at the end, like the pause between syllables in “uh-oh”
• Full pronunciation: ath — thu — LAA — tha’ — four syllables, stress on the third

Example sentences:

Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning
لدينا تدريب كرة القدم يوم الثلاثاء	ladayna tadreeb kurat al-qadam yawm ath-thulathaا	We have football practice on Tuesday.
في يومِ الثلاثاءِ، أزورُ جدتي	fi yawm ath-thulathai, azuru jaddati	On Tuesday, I visit my grandmother.
الثلاثاء هو منتصف الأسبوع تقريباً	ath-thulathaا huwa muntasaf al-usboo’ taqreeban	Tuesday is approximately mid-week.
كل ثلاثاء أذهب إلى الجيم	kull thulathaا adhhab ila al-jim	Every Tuesday I go to the gym.
الدراسة يوم الثلاثاء صعبة	ad-dirasa yawm ath-thulathaا sa’ba	Studying on Tuesday is difficult.

Cultural context:
In traditional Arab culture, Tuesday was historically associated with marketplace days in rural areas — people would travel from nearby villages to gather, buy, and sell goods. While this tradition has largely faded in modern times, Tuesday remains a significant mid-week working day across the Arab world.

Memory tip: الثلاثاء contains ثلاثة (thalatha) = three. You can hear “three” hiding inside the word: “Thu-LA-THA.” Tuesday is Day 3.

4. Wednesday in Arabic – الأربعاء (Al-Arba‘a’)

The Arabic word for Wednesday is الأربعاء (Al-Arba’a’).

Feature	Details
Arabic Script	الأربعاء
Transliteration	Al-Arbiʿāʾ
Pronunciation	al-ar-BA-a’ (stress on third syllable)
Literal Meaning	The Fourth (Day)
Number Root	أربعة (arba’a) = four
Quran Mention	Not mentioned by name
Week Position	Day 4 of the Arabic week

How to pronounce الأربعاء:

• “al” — standard definite article
• “ar” — the ر (ra) is slightly rolled, like a Spanish “r” — not the flat English “r”
• “BA” — stressed syllable, clear “b” + long “a” sound
• “a'” — ends with ع (ayn) + ء (hamza): the ع is a voiced pharyngeal sound unique to Arabic — tighten your throat as if slightly constricting it, then add the glottal stop of the hamza. This is one of the most challenging sounds for English speakers
• Full pronunciation: al — ar — BA — a’ — four syllables, stress on the third

Example sentences:

Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning
عندي درس خصوصي يوم الأربعاء	‘indi dars khususi yawm al-arba’a’	I have a private lesson on Wednesday.
سأسافر يوم الأربعاء	sa-usafir yawm al-arba’a’	I will travel on Wednesday.
الأربعاء هو وسط الأسبوع	al-arba’a’ huwa wasat al-usboo’	Wednesday is the middle of the week.
في الأربعاء أنهي عملي مبكراً	fil-arba’a’ anhii ‘amali mubakkiran	On Wednesday I finish work early.
الاجتماع الأسبوعي يوم الأربعاء	al-ijtima’ al-usboo’i yawm al-arba’a’	The weekly meeting is on Wednesday.

Cultural context:
In many Arab work cultures, Wednesday begins to feel like the approach of the weekend — especially in countries where Thursday is a half-day or the last full working day before Friday. The phrase “halfway through the week” carries the same psychological weight in Arabic-speaking offices as it does in Western ones.

Memory tip: الأربعاء contains أربعة (arba’a) = four. Listen for “arba” at the start: “al-AR-BA-a’.” Wednesday is Day 4 — exactly half of the 7-day week (days 1-3 before it, days 5-7 after).

5. Thursday in Arabic – الخميس (Al-Khamis)

The Arabic word for Thursday is الخميس (Al-Khamis).

Feature	Details
Arabic Script	الخميس
Transliteration	Al-Khamīs
Pronunciation	al-KHA-mees (stress on second syllable)
Literal Meaning	The Fifth (Day)
Number Root	خمسة (khamsa) = five
Quran Mention	Not mentioned by name
Week Position	Day 5 of the Arabic week

How to pronounce الخميس:

• “al” — standard definite article, but note: because خ (kha) is a moon letter, the ل is fully pronounced — “al-KHA,” not “akh-kha”
• “KHA” — the most distinctive sound: خ (kha) is produced by constricting airflow at the back of the throat, like the “ch” in Scottish “loch” or German “Bach.” It is the same sound as clearing your throat gently
• “mees” — a long “ee” sound followed by “s” — like “meese” without the final “e”
• Full pronunciation: al — KHA — mees — three syllables, strong stress on “KHA”

Example sentences:

Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning
هل تريد الذهاب إلى السينما ليلة الخميس؟	hal tureed al-thahab ila as-sinema laylat al-khamis?	Do you want to go to the cinema on Thursday night?
الخميس هو آخر يوم عمل كامل	al-khamis huwa akhir yawm ‘amal kamil	Thursday is the last full working day.
نجتمع مع الأصدقاء كل خميس	najtami’ ma’a al-asdiqa’ kull khamis	We meet with friends every Thursday.
يوم الخميس قبل الجمعة مباشرة	yawm al-khamis qabl al-jumu’ah mubashara	Thursday is directly before Friday.
الخميس يوم الاستعداد للعطلة	al-khamis yawm al-isti’dad lil-‘utla	Thursday is the preparation day for the weekend.

Cultural context:
Thursday holds a special place in Arab social life — it is the last working day before the Friday-Saturday weekend in most Arab countries, making Thursday evenings prime time for socializing, family gatherings, and going out. The phrase “ليلة الجمعة” (laylat al-jumu’ah — Thursday night, literally “the night of Friday” since Islamic days begin at sunset) carries festive cultural associations similar to Friday night in Western cultures.

What does Khamis mean? The name خميس (Khamis) is also used as a given boy’s name in Arab culture — traditionally given to sons born on Thursday. The city الخميس مشيط (Khamis Mushayt) in Saudi Arabia takes its name from the same root.

Memory tip: الخميس contains خمسة (khamsa) = five. The word starts with the same sound — “KHA-mis” from “KHA-msa.” Thursday is Day 5 — the final weekday before the weekend.

6. Friday in Arabic – الجمعة (Al-Jumu‘ah)

The Arabic word for Friday is الجمعة (Al-Jumu’ah).

Feature	Details
Arabic Script	الجمعة
Transliteration	Al-Jumu’ah
Pronunciation	al-JU-mu-a’ (stress on second syllable)
Literal Meaning	The Gathering / The Congregation
Root Word	جمع (jama’a) = to gather, to assemble
Quran Mention	✅ Yes — Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:9)
Week Position	Day 6 of the Arabic week

How to pronounce الجمعة:

• “al” — standard definite article
• “JU” — the ج (jeem) in MSA is pronounced like the English “j” in “jam.” Note: in Egyptian Arabic, ج becomes a hard “g” (like “game”), so Egyptians say “al-GUM-a” — both are widely understood
• “mu” — a short “oo” sound, like “moo” but shorter
• “a'” — ends with ع (ayn): tighten the throat slightly to produce this pharyngeal sound, then release. Many beginners approximate it as a simple “a” while working on the correct pronunciation
• Full pronunciation: al — JU — mu — a’ — four syllables, stress on second

Example sentences:

Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning
نصلي الجمعة في المسجد مع العائلة	nusalli al-jumu’ah fil-masjid ma’a al-‘a’ila	We pray Friday prayer in the mosque with the family.
يوم الجمعة يوم عطلة في معظم الدول العربية	yawm al-jumu’ah yawm ‘utla fi mu’tham ad-duwal al-‘arabiyya	Friday is a holiday in most Arab countries.
جمعة مباركة!	jumu’ah mubaraka!	Blessed Friday! (common greeting)
نجتمع العائلة كل جمعة للغداء	najtami’ al-‘a’ila kull jumu’ah lil-ghada’	The family gathers every Friday for lunch.
خطبة الجمعة في الساعة الثانية عشرة	khutbat al-jumu’ah fis-sa’a ath-thani ‘ashar	The Friday sermon is at twelve o’clock.

Quranic mention — Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:9):

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ
“O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade.”

Cultural context:
Friday is the most significant day of the Islamic week — the day of communal Jumu’ah prayer, which is obligatory for adult Muslim men. In most Arab countries, Friday is a public holiday. Families typically gather for a large lunch after the prayer. The greeting جمعة مباركة (Jumu’ah mubaraka — Blessed Friday) is exchanged widely on Thursday evenings and throughout Friday.

Important linguistic note: الجمعة breaks the numerical pattern of Sunday through Thursday. It is not named after a number — it is named after the concept of gathering (جمع — jam’), reflecting its religious significance as the day Muslims assemble for congregational prayer.

Memory tip: الجمعة = congregation / gathering. Think of “jumu’ah” → “come-together” — the day everyone gathers at the mosque.

7. Saturday in Arabic – السبت (As-Sabt)

The Arabic word for Saturday is السبت (As-Sabt).

Feature	Details
Arabic Script	السبت
Transliteration	As-Sabt
Pronunciation	as-SABT (one syllable after the article)
Literal Meaning	The Sabbath / The Rest / Cessation
Root Word	سبت (sabata) = to rest, to cease
Quran Mention	✅ Yes — Surah Al-A’raf (7:163)
Week Position	Day 7 of the Arabic week

How to pronounce السبت:

• “as” — note the assimilation: the ل of الـ merges with the following س (seen, a sun letter), producing “as” not “al.” This is called sun letter assimilation (الإدغام الشمسي)
• “SABT” — the س (seen) is a sharp, clear “s” like in “sun” — not like the “s” in “measure.” The “abt” is pronounced cleanly with a light final “t”
• The whole word is remarkably simple: as — SABT — effectively one stressed syllable after the article
• Full pronunciation: as-SABT — say it like “as” + “sabbed” (past tense of “to jab”) but with a “t” at the end

Example sentences:

Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning
أرتاح يوم السبت قبل بداية الأسبوع الجديد	artah yawm as-sabt qabl bidayat al-usboo’ al-jadid	I rest on Saturday before the new week begins.
في يومِ السبتِ، أستريحُ في البيتِ	fi yawm as-sabt, astarihu fil-bayt	On Saturday, I rest at home.
السبت عطلة في معظم الدول العربية	as-sabt ‘utla fi mu’tham ad-duwal al-‘arabiyya	Saturday is a holiday in most Arab countries.
أقضي السبت مع أسرتي	aqudi as-sabt ma’a usrati	I spend Saturday with my family.
السبت ينهي الأسبوع	as-sabt yunhi al-usboo’	Saturday ends the week.

Quranic mention — Surah Al-A’raf (7:163):

وَاسْأَلْهُمْ عَنِ الْقَرْيَةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ حَاضِرَةَ الْبَحْرِ إِذْ يَعْدُونَ فِي السَّبْتِ
“And ask them about the town that was by the sea — when they transgressed in [the matter of] the Sabbath…”

Cultural and linguistic context:
السبت is the only Arabic day name with a direct shared root in another Semitic language. The word سبت (sabt) shares its root with the Hebrew שַׁבָּת (Shabbat), meaning “to rest” or “to cease work” — reflecting the shared Abrahamic tradition of a day of rest. This linguistic connection reveals the deep historical relationship between Arabic and Hebrew as closely related Semitic languages.

Weekend status: Saturday is part of the standard Arabic weekend (along with Friday) in most Arab countries. In Egypt, some businesses operate a half-day on Saturday. In Lebanon and Jordan, the Saturday-Sunday weekend has become increasingly common in international business contexts.

Important note: السبت also breaks the numerical naming pattern — like Friday, it is not named after a number but after a concept (rest/Sabbath). This is why only Sunday through Thursday follow the ordinal number system.

Memory tip: السبت = Sabbath / rest. English speakers can remember it easily: “As-SABT” sounds similar to “Sabbath” — because they come from the same ancient Semitic root meaning “to cease” or “to rest.” Saturday is the day of rest.

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Read also: Seasons and weather in Arabic

How to Pronounce Arabic Days of the Week: Step-by-Step Guide

Okay, so now you know the names of the days in Arabic, but how do you actually say them? We’ll take it slow.

First, remember that some Arabic letters have sounds that don’t exist in English. I’ll try my best to explain.

Here’s a little guide to help you pronounce the days of the Arabic week:

Arabic Days of the Week: Pronunciation at a Glance

Day	Arabic	Syllable Break	Stress	Hardest Sound
Sunday	الأحد	al-A-had	Second syllable	ح — soft throat “h”
Monday	الإثنين	al-ITH-nayn	Second syllable	ث — like “th” in “think”
Tuesday	الثلاثاء	ath-thu-LA-tha	Third syllable	ث repeated + ء (hamza)
Wednesday	الأربعاء	al-ar-BA-a	Third syllable	ع + ء — guttural sounds
Thursday	الخميس	al-KHA-mees	Second syllable	خ — throat “kh”
Friday	الجمعة	al-JU-mu-a	Second syllable	ع — voiced pharyngeal
Saturday	السبت	as-SABT	Single syllable	س — sharp “s”

1. How to Pronounce الأحد (al-ahad) 

Try to say “al” like in the English word “alligator”. The “ahad” part sounds like “a-had” with a short “a” sound, like in “cat”. The “h” is a soft sound, like when you breathe on a mirror.

2. How to Pronounce الاثنين (al-ithnayn) 

Say الإثنين as Al-Ith-nayn. The tricky part is th, which is like the “th” in think, not like in “this”. Again, “al” like in “alligator.” 

3. How to Pronounce الثلاثاء (al-thulaathaa’) 

For الثلاثاء, say Ath-Thoo-la-thaa the “th” is the same as in “ithnayn.” And that little mark at the end (‘) is called a “hamza”. It’s like a quick stop in your throat.

4. How to Pronounce الأربعاء (al-arba’aa’) 

الأربعاء is pronounced as Al-Ar-ba-a’. It has that throaty “ayn ع” sound too. The “r” is rolled a little.

5. How to Pronounce الخميس (al-khamees) 

الخميس is Al-Kha-mees. The “kh” sound is made in the back of your throat, kind of like when you clear your throat. The “ee” sound is long, like in “see.”

6. How to Pronounce الجمعة (al-jumu’ah) 

For الجمعة, say Al-Joo-moo-a’. Just remember that “j” is pronounced like the “j” in “jam”. And another “ayn”!

7. How to Pronounce السبت (al-sabt) 

السبت is the easiest—just say As-Sabt. The “s” is sharp, and the “t” at the end is light.

Repeat each name slowly. Listening to native speakers also helps a lot. At Kalimah Center, we focus on correct pronunciation by letting students practice with teachers and audio tools. This way, you’ll feel confident speaking Arabic every day!

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Read more about: Islamic and Arabic Months in Order

Origins of Arabic Days of the Week

The Arabic week traditionally starts on Saturday (or Sunday in the modern civil calendar of many Arab countries). The days from Sunday to Thursday are simply named after their ordinal number in the sequence.

English Day	Arabic Script	Transliteration	Origin & Meaning
Sunday	الأحد	Al-Aḥad	The First (Day). It is derived from the cardinal number واحد (wāḥid), meaning “one,” or أحد (aḥad), meaning “one” or “the one.”
Monday	الإثنين	Al-Ithnayn	The Second (Day). It is derived from the cardinal number إثنان (ithnān), meaning “two.”
Tuesday	الثلاثاء	Ath-Thulāthāʾ	The Third (Day). It is derived from the cardinal number ثلاثة (thalātha), meaning “three.”
Wednesday	الأربعاء	Al-Arbiʿāʾ	The Fourth (Day). It is derived from the cardinal number أربعة (arbaʿa), meaning “four.”
Thursday	الخميس	Al-Khamīs	The Fifth (Day). It is derived from the cardinal number خمسة (khamsa), meaning “five.”
Friday	الجمعة	Al-Jumʿah	The Gathering/Congregation. This name breaks the numerical pattern and is named for its religious significance as the day of the weekly communal (Jumu’ah) prayer in Islam.
Saturday	السبت	As-Sabt	The Rest/Sabbath. This word shares its root with the Hebrew word Shabbat, meaning “to rest” or “to cease.” It is connected to the religious day of rest in Abrahamic traditions.

What Do Arabic Day Names Mean in English? Complete Meaning Guide

What Does Khamis Mean in English?

الخميس (Khamis/Al-Khamis) means “The Fifth” — Thursday is the fifth day of the Arabic week (counting from Sunday). It comes from the Arabic number خمسة (khamsa) = five.

Khamis is also used as a boy’s name in Arab culture — traditionally given to boys born on Thursday. Famous uses: الخميس مشيط (Khamis Mushayt) — a major city in Saudi Arabia.

What Does Youm al Ahad / Al-Ahad Mean in English?

يوم الأحد (Yawm al-Ahad) means “The First Day” = Sunday. Al-Ahad (الأحد) comes from أحد (ahad) = one/first.

Complete Arabic Day Name Meanings

Arabic Name	English Meaning	Root Word	Root Meaning
الأحد (Al-Ahad)	The First	أحد (ahad)	One / The First
الإثنين (Al-Ithnayn)	The Second	اثنان (ithnan)	Two
الثلاثاء (Ath-Thulatha)	The Third	ثلاثة (thalatha)	Three
الأربعاء (Al-Arba’a)	The Fourth	أربعة (arba’a)	Four
الخميس (Al-Khamis)	The Fifth	خمسة (khamsa)	Five
الجمعة (Al-Jumu’ah)	The Gathering	جمع (jama’a)	To gather/assemble
السبت (As-Sabt)	The Sabbath/Rest	سبت (sabata)	To rest/cease

What Does “Yawm” (يوم) Mean?

يوم (yawm) = day. It is the first word of every full Arabic day name.

Arabic	Pronunciation	Meaning
يوم (yawm)	YAWM	A day / Day of
اليوم (al-yawm)	al-YAWM	Today (literally “the day”)
أيام (ayyam)	AY-yam	Days (plural)

You will hear اليوم constantly in Arabic conversation — it means both “today” and “the day”:

• اليوم الجمعة (al-yawm al-jumu’ah) — Today is Friday
• اليوم جميل (al-yawm jameel) — Today is beautiful

Chart of Days of the Week in Arabic

To make things easier for you, I’ve prepared a handy chart that includes the days of the week in Arabic, their English translations, transliterations, and examples. Keep this chart handy as you practice.

Arabic Word	English Translation	Transliteration	Example in Arabic with English Translation
الأحد	Sunday	al-ahad	نبدأُ دروسَ اللغةِ العربيةِ يومَ الأحدِ. (We start Arabic language lessons on Sunday.)
الاثنين	Monday	al-ithnayn	يومَ الاثنينِ، أذهبُ إلى السوقِ لشراءِ الخضارِ. (On Monday, I go to the market to buy vegetables.)
الثلاثاء	Tuesday	ath-thulaathaa’	في يومِ الثلاثاءِ، أزورُ جدتي. (On Tuesday, I visit my grandmother.)
الأربعاء	Wednesday	al-arba’aa’	سأسافر يوم الأربعاء (I will travel on Wednesday)
الخميس	Thursday	al-khamees	في المساءِ يومَ الخميسِ، نَجتمعُ معَ الأصدقاءِ. (On Thursday evening, we gather with friends.)
الجمعة	Friday	al-jumu’ah	يومُ الجمعةِ هو يومُ العطلةِ الأسبوعيةِ. (Friday is the day of the weekly holiday.)
السبت	Saturday	as-sabt	في يومِ السبتِ، أستريحُ في البيتِ. (On Saturday, I rest at home.)

Essential Arabic Time Words: Weekend, Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow

Weekend in Arabic

English	Arabic	Transliteration	Note
Weekend	نهاية الأسبوع	Nihayat al-usboo’	Formal/MSA
Weekend	الويك اند	Al-weekend	Colloquial Arabized
Day off	يوم عطلة	Yawm ‘utla	General day off
Holiday	إجازة	Ijaza	Also means vacation

Weekend days by country:

• Most Arab countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, etc.): Friday + Saturday (الجمعة والسبت)
• Some Gulf business contexts: Saturday + Sunday (السبت والأحد)

Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow in Arabic

English	Arabic	Transliteration	Pronunciation
Today	اليوم	Al-yawm	al-YAWM
Yesterday	أمس	Ams	AMS
Tomorrow	غداً	Ghadan	GHA-dan
The day after tomorrow	بعد غد	Ba’da ghad	BA-da GHAD
The day before yesterday	أول أمس	Awwal ams	AW-wal AMS
This week	هذا الأسبوع	Hadha al-usboo’
Next week	الأسبوع القادم	Al-usboo’ al-qadim
Last week	الأسبوع الماضي	Al-usboo’ al-madi

Example sentences:

• اليوم الجمعة (al-yawm al-jumu’ah) — Today is Friday.
• أمس كان الخميس (ams kan al-khamis) — Yesterday was Thursday.
• غداً السبت (ghadan as-sabt) — Tomorrow is Saturday.
• الأسبوع القادم سأسافر (al-usboo’ al-qadim sa-usafir) — Next week I will travel.

Which Days of the Week Are Mentioned in the Quran?

Only 2 of the 7 days of the week are mentioned by name in the Quran: Friday (الجمعة — Al-Jumu’ah) and Saturday (السبت — As-Sabt). Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are not mentioned by their ordinal names in the Quran.

The days that are named and highlighted in the Qur’an are Friday (Al-Jumu’ah) and Saturday (As-Sabt), both due to their profound religious and historical significance.

Here is a breakdown of their appearance and the context:

1. Friday: Al-Jumu’ah (يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ)

Friday is the only day the Qur’an explicitly mandates for a specific act of worship.

Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:9):يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ

O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah (Friday), then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade.

2. Saturday: As-Sabt (الْسَّبْت)

Saturday is mentioned in the context of previous nations (specifically the Jews) who were commanded to observe a day of rest and whose violation of this command led to a punishment. This is famously known as the story of the “People of the Sabbath” (Ahl al-Sabt).

Surah Al-A’raf (7:163):وَاسْأَلْهُمْ عَنِ الْقَرْيَةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ حَاضِرَةَ الْبَحْرِ إِذْ يَعْدُونَ فِي السَّبْتِ

And ask them about the town that was by the sea—when they transgressed in [the matter of] the Sabbath…

The remaining days—Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—are not mentioned by their ordinal names (Al-Ahad, Al-Ithnayn, etc.) in the Qur’an.

Tips for Learning the Days of the week in Arabic

Since the Arabic days of the week are mostly based on numbers, they are relatively structured and easier to memorize than in many other languages.

Here are specific tips and techniques for learning and memorizing the Arabic days of the week, broken down by category:

1. Count Aloud:

Practice counting the days starting from Sunday, linking the number directly to the day:

• Aḥad (One) $\rightarrow$ Sunday
• Ithnayn (Two) $\rightarrow$ Monday
• Thulāthāʾ (Three) $\rightarrow$ Tuesday, and so on.

2. Flashcards:

Create dual-sided flashcards:

• Side 1: Arabic Script (e.g., الإثنين)
• Side 2: Number ($2$) and English Day (Monday)

3. Conceptual Linkage:

• Jumu’ah (Friday): Focus on the core meaning: Gathering. Associate Friday with the main weekly communal gathering/prayer.
• Sabt (Saturday): Associate Sabt directly with the English word Sabbath (day of rest) as they share the same linguistic root.

4. Write Them Out Daily:

At the start of your day, write the date in Arabic, specifically focusing on the day of the week. This repetition helps build muscle memory.

5. Use Them in Context:

Use simple sentences:

• Al-yawm huwa… (Today is…)
• Ghaddan huwa… (Tomorrow will be…)
• Ams kāna… (Yesterday was…)

6. Listen to a Song:

Search YouTube for “Arabic days of the week song” (أيام الأسبوع). Songs use rhythm and melody to make rote memorization much easier.

Arabic Greetings for Days of the Week: How to Wish Someone a Happy Day

Arabs have specific greetings and expressions for different days, especially Friday:

Friday Greetings (الجمعة)

Arabic Greeting	Transliteration	Meaning	When Used
جمعة مباركة	Jumu’ah mubaraka	Blessed Friday	Before/during Friday
جمعة طيبة	Jumu’ah tayiba	Good Friday	Casual Friday greeting
تقبل الله	Taqabbal Allah	May Allah accept	After Friday prayer

General Day Greetings

English	Arabic	Transliteration
Happy Sunday	أحد سعيد	Ahad sa’eed
Good Monday	إثنين مبارك	Ithnayn mubarak
Have a nice week	أسبوع سعيد	Usboo’ sa’eed
Good morning (any day)	صباح الخير	Sabah al-khayr
Good evening (any day)	مساء الخير	Masa’ al-khayr

Note: Unlike Friday, which has deeply established greetings in Arabic culture, the other days do not have standardized day-specific greetings. General greetings like صباح الخير (good morning) and أسبوع سعيد (happy week) are used instead.

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At Kalimah Center, we understand the challenges of learning Arabic as a non-native speaker. Our online Arabic courses are structured to:

• Teach practical vocabulary, like the days of the week.
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Conclusion

As we have explored, the Arabic days of the week follow a deeply logical and systematic structure, making them remarkably straightforward to memorize. The days from Sunday (Al-Ahad) through Thursday (Al-Khamīs) are simply sequential, derived from the Arabic numbers one through five. This leaves just two days that require conceptual association: Friday (Al-Jumu’ah), the sacred day of congregation and prayer, and Saturday (As-Sabt), the traditional day of rest linked to earlier Abrahamic traditions. The fact that only Al-Jumu’ah and As-Sabt are explicitly mentioned in the Holy Qur’an further underscores their unique religious and historical significance, separating them from the numerically-based weekdays.

Mastering these seven terms, along with the foundational words for day (yawm) and week (usbūʿ), is a crucial step in building fluency and understanding the cultural and religious rhythm of the Arabic-speaking world. By utilizing the simple tips provided—such as counting the days aloud, using flashcards, and associating Al-Jumu’ah and As-Sabt with their core meanings—you can quickly cement this vocabulary into your memory. This achievement marks excellent progress on your Arabic journey. Continue to practice daily, and you will soon find yourself confidently navigating the weekly calendar and speaking Arabic with ease.

FAQs about Days of the Week in Arabic