der
Mittwoch
📅 What does "der Mittwoch" mean?
Der Mittwoch is the German word for Wednesday. It's the third day of the week according to the German (and international ISO 8601) standard, which starts the week on Monday (Montag). Its name literally means "middle of the week" (Mitte der Woche), reflecting its position in the traditional 5-day work week.
- Meaning: The day between Tuesday (Dienstag) and Thursday (Donnerstag).
- Article: Always der (masculine). There are no other articles for this word. 🚨 Be careful not to confuse it with nouns derived from it in specific contexts, like "das Mittwochsspiel" (the Wednesday game).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar of "Mittwoch" in Detail
"Mittwoch" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension (Deklination):
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (1st case) | der Mittwoch | ein Mittwoch |
| Genitive (2nd case) | des Mittwochs | eines Mittwochs |
| Dative (3rd case) | dem Mittwoch | einem Mittwoch |
| Accusative (4th case) | den Mittwoch | einen Mittwoch |
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Mittwoche |
| Genitive | der Mittwoche |
| Dative | den Mittwochen |
| Accusative | die Mittwoche |
Note: The plural form "die Mittwoche" (the Wednesdays) is rarely used. Usually, Germans say things like "jeden Mittwoch" (every Wednesday) or use the adverb "mittwochs" (on Wednesdays).
📝 Example Sentences
- Am Mittwoch habe ich einen Arzttermin. (I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday.)
- Wir treffen uns jeden Mittwoch zum Sport. (We meet every Wednesday for sports.)
- Der Bericht muss bis nächsten Mittwoch fertig sein. (The report must be finished by next Wednesday.)
- Ich erinnere mich an einen kalten Mittwoch im Januar. (I remember a cold Wednesday in January.)
💡 How to Use "Mittwoch"?
- Time Specifications: Most commonly, Mittwoch is used to name the specific day. Often with the preposition "am" (a contraction of an dem, meaning 'on the'): am Mittwoch (on Wednesday).
- Regularity: To express regularity, use the lower-case adverbial form "mittwochs" (on Wednesdays) or the phrase "jeden Mittwoch" (every Wednesday): Mittwochs gehe ich schwimmen. (On Wednesdays, I go swimming.) / Jeden Mittwoch ist Teamsitzung. (Every Wednesday, there's a team meeting.)
- Set Phrases: Sometimes part of specific names or terms, e.g., Aschermittwoch (Ash Wednesday).
- Colloquial Use: Sometimes referred to as "Bergfest" (literally 'mountain festival'), celebrating reaching the midpoint of the work week ('over the hump').
🧠 Mnemonics for "Mittwoch"
Article Mnemonic: Think of a strong, masculine character like a Macho Dude who works hard until the Middle of the Week (Mitt-Woch). Macho Dude is masculine -> der Mittwoch.
Meaning Mnemonic: Mittwoch sounds like "Mid-week". It's right there in the name – the middle of the week!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- (colloquial) Bergfest: Refers to the midpoint of the work week, 'hump day'.
- Wochenteiler: Less common, 'week divider', also emphasizes the middle position.
Antonyms (Other days/concepts)
- Montag (Monday)
- Dienstag (Tuesday)
- Donnerstag (Thursday)
- Freitag (Friday)
- Samstag (Saturday)
- Sonntag (Sunday)
- Wochenanfang (Beginning of the week)
- Wochenende (Weekend)
⚠️ Similar Words: Don't confuse Mittwoch (Wednesday) with Mitternacht (midnight).
😂 A Little Joke
Was sagt der Mittwoch zum Donnerstag?
"Puh, Bergfest! Ab jetzt geht's bergab Richtung Wochenende!"
Translation:
What does Wednesday say to Thursday?
"Phew, hump day! From here on, it's downhill towards the weekend!" 😉
📜 Poem about Wednesday
Der Montag zog sich lang und grau,
Der Dienstag war auch noch recht rau.
Doch dann kommt er, ganz unbeschwert,
Der Mittwoch, hochverehrt.
Die Woche teilt er, froh und heiter,
Ab jetzt geht's Richtung Wochenende weiter!
Translation:
Monday dragged on, long and gray,
Tuesday was also quite rough, I'd say.
But then it comes, quite light and free,
Der Mittwoch (Wednesday), held in high degree.
It splits the week, cheerful and bright,
From now on, the weekend's in sight!
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich steh' genau in Wochenmitten,
hab Dienstag hinter mir gelitten.
Bevor der Donnerstag erwacht,
hab ich die halbe Woch' vollbracht.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I stand right in the middle of the week,
I've suffered through Tuesday, so to speak.
Before Thursday awakens from the night,
I've completed half the week's plight.
Who am I?
Solution: der Mittwoch (Wednesday)
✨ Interesting Facts about "Mittwoch"
- Etymology: The word Mittwoch comes from Old High German "mittiwehha" and literally means "middle of the week". During Christianization, it replaced the older term "Wodanstag" (named after the Germanic god Wodan/Odin), unlike in English ("Wednesday").
- Cultural Significance: In Germany, often celebrated as "Bergfest" ('mountain festival') – signifying that half the work week is done.
- Aschermittwoch: Ash Wednesday, an important church holiday marking the beginning of Lent (Fastenzeit).
📝 Summary: Is it der, die or das Mittwoch?
The German word for Wednesday, "Mittwoch", is always masculine. The correct article is der. For example: Der Mittwoch ist oft der anstrengendste Tag. (Wednesday is often the most tiring day.)