der
Ruhetag
🧘 What does "der Ruhetag" mean?
The German word der Ruhetag means a day of rest. It's a day when one doesn't work but uses the time for relaxation and recovery. Often, this is legally mandated (like Sunday in many countries) or determined by a business (e.g., restaurants or shops might have a fixed weekly closing day called a Ruhetag).
It's a compound noun formed from die Ruhe (calm, rest) and der Tag (day).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Ruhetag
The noun "Ruhetag" is masculine. Its definite article is der.
Declension
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Ruhetag |
| Genitive | des | Ruhetags / Ruhetages |
| Dative | dem | Ruhetag / Ruhetage |
| Accusative | den | Ruhetag |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ruhetage |
| Genitive | der | Ruhetage |
| Dative | den | Ruhetagen |
| Accusative | die | Ruhetage |
Example Sentences
- Der Sonntag ist in Deutschland traditionell ein Ruhetag. (Sunday is traditionally a day of rest in Germany.)
- Unser Lieblingsrestaurant hat montags seinen Ruhetag. (Our favorite restaurant has its day off on Mondays.)
- Nach der anstrengenden Woche freue ich mich auf meinen Ruhetag. (After the strenuous week, I'm looking forward to my day of rest.)
- Die Sportler legen zwischen den Wettkämpfen oft mehrere Ruhetage ein. (Athletes often take several rest days between competitions.)
- Genieße deinen wohlverdienten Ruhetag! (Enjoy your well-deserved day of rest!)
💡 How to use "Ruhetag"?
The term "Ruhetag" is used in various contexts:
- Legal/Religious: It often refers to Sunday as the legally or religiously established day of rest from work.
- Business-related: Many businesses, especially restaurants, practices, or smaller shops, set a specific weekday as their fixed Ruhetag when they are closed (e.g., "Montag Ruhetag" - Closed on Monday).
- Personal/Sports: In sports or during periods of high workload, people talk about Ruhetage as necessary breaks for regeneration.
Distinction: A Feiertag is a public holiday, a legally fixed day off work for a special occasion (historical, religious), often associated with celebrations. A Ruhetag is primarily a day for resting from work, which doesn't have to be a public holiday (like a shop's Monday closing day).
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Ruhetag"
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Tag (the day). A day of rest is still 'the day' -> der Ruhetag.
Meaning Mnemonic: It directly combines Ruhe (rest, quiet) + Tag (day). Easy to remember as a 'rest day'.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposites):
- Arbeitstag: (workday) - A day on which work is done.
- Werktag: (working day/weekday) - A day that is not a Sunday or public holiday; typically a workday.
- Geschäftstag: (business day) - A day for conducting business.
😂 A little Joke
Warum nehmen Skelette keinen Ruhetag?
Weil sie keine Muskeln haben, die müde werden könnten!
(Why don't skeletons take a day of rest? Because they don't have any muscles that could get tired!)
📜 Poem for the Ruhetag
Die Woche rann, die Arbeit schwer,
nun ist er da, ich freu mich sehr.
Kein Wecker klingelt, keine Pflicht,
nur Ruhe sanft im Tageslicht.
Der Körper rastet, Geist wird klar,
der Ruhetag, so wunderbar!
(The week ran by, the work was hard,
now it's here, I'm very glad.
No alarm clock rings, no duty's call,
just gentle peace in daylight's thrall.
The body rests, the mind gets clear,
the day of rest, so wonderful, so dear!)
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich komme meist einmal die Woche,
manchmal auch nach harter Poche (Arbeit).
Geschäfte schließen ihretwegen,
man soll sich an mir pflegen.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Der Ruhetag
(I usually come once a week,
sometimes after hard work's peak.
Shops close down because of me,
you should relax and just be.
What am I?
Answer: The Ruhetag / day of rest)
🌐 More Information
Word Composition: The word is a compound of the noun die Ruhe (rest, calm, quiet) and the noun der Tag (day).
Cultural Significance: Especially the Sonntagsruhe (Sunday rest) has a long tradition in Germany and other European countries and is often legally protected (e.g., through laws regulating shop opening hours or noise restrictions).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ruhetag?
The word "Ruhetag" is masculine, so the correct article is der. It refers to a day of rest and recovery from work, whether it's a Sunday, a designated closing day for a business, or a personal regeneration break.