Sonnabend

Saturday (northern German variant)

noun ZON-ah-bent Rare

Origin: literally 'sun-eve', the evening before Sunday

Usage Note

Sonnabend is the northern German and GDR-era word for Saturday, still widely used in Berlin, Brandenburg, and northern Länder. It coexists with Samstag across Germany, and learners should recognise both. sonnabends ('on Saturdays') is the corresponding adverb.

Examples

"In Leipzig sagen viele Leute noch Sonnabend statt Samstag."

Natural Translation

In Leipzig, many people still say Sonnabend instead of Samstag.

Literal Translation

In Leipzig, many people still say sun-eve instead of Saturday.

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