der
Werktag
🗓️ What Exactly is a 'Werktag'?
Der Werktag is a German noun meaning a workday or working day. Generally, this refers to the days from Monday to Saturday. Sundays (Sonntage) and public holidays (gesetzliche Feiertage) are not considered Werktage.
⚠️ Be aware: Although Saturday (Samstag) is often legally considered a Werktag (e.g., in tenancy law or for deadlines), in common parlance, it's sometimes counted as part of the weekend (Wochenende) and many people don't work on Saturdays.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar of 'der Werktag' in Detail
The noun "Werktag" is masculine. Therefore, the correct article is der.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der Werktag | ein Werktag |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des Werktags / Werktages | eines Werktags / Werktages |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem Werktag / Werktage | einem Werktag / Werktage |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den Werktag | einen Werktag |
Declension Plural
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Werktage |
| Genitive | der Werktage |
| Dative | den Werktagen |
| Accusative | die Werktage |
Example Sentences
- Am nächsten Werktag muss die Lieferung ankommen.
(The delivery must arrive on the next workday.) - Die Geschäfte sind nur an Werktagen geöffnet.
(The shops are only open on workdays.) - Er arbeitet von Montag bis Freitag, also an fünf Werktagen pro Woche.
(He works from Monday to Friday, so five workdays per week.) - Der Samstag ist rechtlich oft ein Werktag, auch wenn viele frei haben.
(Saturday is often legally a workday, even if many people have the day off.)
💼 When and How to Use 'Werktag'
"Werktag" is mainly used to refer to days when work is normally done, or when shops and authorities are open. It distinguishes these days from Sundays (Sonntage) and public holidays (Feiertage).
- Context Work & Commerce: "Die Post wird nur an Werktagen zugestellt." (Mail is only delivered on workdays.)
- Context Deadlines & Law: "Die Frist endet am dritten Werktag des Monats." (The deadline ends on the third workday of the month. - Here, Saturday often counts!)
- Contrast: The opposite of Werktag are Sonntag (Sunday), Feiertag (public holiday), and often the Wochenende (weekend) (although Saturday can legally be a Werktag).
- Adverbial form: The adverb "werktags" means "on workdays". Example: "Werktags stehe ich früh auf." (On workdays, I get up early.)
There's little risk of confusion, but the exact definition (does it include Saturday?) can vary depending on the context (employment contract, rental law, general usage).
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Werktag'
Article Mnemonic: Think of DER MAN who goes to work on a weekday. Man is 'der Mann', so it helps remember DER Werktag.
Meaning Mnemonic: 'Werk' sounds a bit like 'work'. A Werk-Tag is a 'work day'. It's the opposite of a 'Feier-tag' (celebration day = holiday) or 'Sonn-tag' (Sun-day).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Arbeitstag: Very similar, emphasizes the aspect of 'Arbeit' (work).
- Wochentag: (Weekday) Often used synonymously, but sometimes specifically means Monday to Friday.
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Sonntag: Sunday (the traditional day of rest).
- Feiertag: Public holiday (legal day of rest, can fall on any day of the week).
- Wochenende: Weekend (Saturday and Sunday in common usage).
- Ruhetag: Day of rest (general term for a non-working day).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum sind Montage die schwersten Werktage?
(Why are Mondays the hardest workdays?)
Weil sie so weit vom nächsten Montag entfernt sind!
(Because they are so far from the next Monday!)
✍️ Poem about the 'Werktag'
Der Wecker klingelt, grell und laut,
(The alarm clock rings, harsh and loud,)
Ein neuer Werktag ist angetraut.
(A new workday is entrusted now.)
Von Montag bis zum Samstag hin,
(From Monday until Saturday's end,)
Hat Arbeit meistens Sinn.
(Work mostly makes sense, my friend.)
Man schafft, man wirkt, man tut, man macht,
(You create, you work, you do, you make,)
Bis dann der Feierabend lacht.
(Until the end of the workday awakes.)
Der Werktag fordert Kraft und Zeit,
(The workday demands strength and time,)
Bis Ruhe kommt - zur Wochenendzeit.
(Until peace arrives - at weekend time.)
❓ 'Werktag' Riddle
Ich bin kein Sonntag, kein Feiertag,
(I am no Sunday, no holiday,)
An mir wird meist geschafft, was ich vermag.
(On me, work is usually done, I'd say.)
Sechs von mir gibt's manchmal in der Woche,
(There are sometimes six of me in a week,)
Obwohl am letzten viele frei sich koche'.
(Though on the last one, many freedom seek.)
Was bin ich? / What am I?
Lösung / Answer: Der Werktag (The workday/weekday)
💡 More about 'der Werktag'
Word Composition: The word "Werktag" is composed of:
- Werk: Meaning work, creation, activity (compare "werken" - to work/create, "Werkstatt" - workshop).
- Tag: Meaning day.
So it literally means "work-day" or "day of creation/activity".
Regional Differences/Context: As mentioned, the classification of Saturday is the most common point of ambiguity. In labor law (Arbeitsrecht), it's often a Werktag, but in social perception, many consider it part of the weekend (Wochenende).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Werktag?
The word "Werktag" is masculine, so the correct article is der. It refers to a day when work is typically performed (Mon-Sat), as opposed to Sundays and public holidays.