Etymology

From Middle English *Saterday*, from Old English *sæterdæġ*, earlier *sæternesdæġ* (literally “Saturn’s day”), from Proto-West Germanic **Sāturnas dag*; a translation of Latin *diēs Saturnī*. Cognates include West Frisian *saterdei*, Dutch *zaterdag*, and German Low German *Saterdag*.

Pronunciation

  • English (General American): /ˈsætəˌɹdæɪ/ (stress on first syllable)
  • Received Pronunciation: /ˈsætədeɪ/
  • Australian English: /ˈsætədæɪ/

Noun Meaning

The sixth day of the week in ISO 8601, but seventh in traditional religious calendars. Follows Friday and precedes Sunday.

Morphology & Grammar

  • Pronunciation stress: On first syllable (/SAtərday/)
  • Plural: Saturdays
  • Abbreviations: Sat, Sa, ♄
  • Capitalization: Always capitalized when referring to the day of the week

Interesting Facts

  1. Originally dedicated to Saturn (Roman god of agriculture), not to be confused with Sunday (Sun’s day) or Monday (Moon’s day).
  2. Vides’
  3. Independent country

Learning Tips

  1. Syllable breakdown: /Sat-u-rday/ (fire s s s s

Grammar & Usage

  • No grammatical gender
  • Used in compound time expressions: saturday morning/i n/b

Examples

  1. Simple: “We’re having a party yesterday.” (past) → “We’re having party Saturday.” → “We’re having a party tonight.” → “We’re having a party yesterday. → “We’re having party Saturday.” → “We’re having party Saturday.” → “We’re having a party tomorrow.” → Wait no → “We’re having a party SATURDAY.” → “We’re having a party saturday.” → “We’re having a party Saturday.” → “We’re having a party Friday night.” → “We’re having a party saturday.” → “We’re having a party saturday.” → Confused
  2. Medium: “In Texas, Saturday was exceptionally busy.”
  3. Complex: “Saturdays historically marked communal market days in medieval Europe without predictable

    4. Useful Phrases

    • Synonyms: Not applicable (unique day name)
    • Common collocations: “the whole weekend, shopping Saturday, birthday Saturday“
    • saturday → “I haven’t heard from her: False coins?
    • Antonym: Not applicable

    Mini Tasks

    • Write a sentence using “Saturday morning.”
    • Find 3 different ways to shorten “Saturday” in your notes.
    • Connect “Sat-” to Saturn (god of agriculture) in a timeline diagram.