How to Say Thursday in Spanish | MostUsedWords.com
Updated for 2026, "Thursday" in Spanish is pronounced as jueves (IPA: /ˈxwe.βes/). This article delves into the pronunciation, cultural context, and usage of this day of the week.
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Pronunciation Guide for Jueves
In Spanish, Thursday is called jueves (/ˈxwe.βes/). The letter "j" in Spanish sounds like an English 'h'. To help you pronounce it correctly, listen to these audio clips and practice the following examples:
- Example 1: "Mañana es jueves." (Tomorrow is Thursday.)
- Example 2: "¿Qué tienes que hacer el jueves?" (What do you have to do on Thursday?)
- Example 3: "El jueves tengo una reunión importante." (I have an important meeting on Thursday.)
Cultural Significance of Jueves in Spanish-Speaking Countries
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The Spanish Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common Spanish words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →The word jueves originates from the Latin term "Jovis dies", meaning "day of Jupiter". In ancient Roman mythology, Jupiter was the king of gods and associated with lightning, thunder, and the sky. Today, jueves holds special significance across many Spanish-speaking cultures.
In several Latin American countries, Thursday is considered a lucky day for starting new ventures or getting married. Additionally, some regions have unique traditions tied to this day, reflecting its cultural importance.
How to Pronounce and Use Other Days of the Week in Spanish
Beyond jueves, each weekday in Spanish has an interesting etymology:
- Lunes (Monday): Come from "dies Lunae", meaning day of the Moon.
- Martes (Tuesday): Derived from "Mars dies", named after Mars, god of war and courage.
- Miércoles (Wednesday): Came from "Mercurii dies" in Latin, named after Mercury, messenger of the gods.
Regional Differences in Pronunciation of Spanish Weekdays
While the standard pronunciation for jueves is /ˈxwe.βes/, regional variations exist across different Spanish-speaking countries. For instance, some regions might soften or emphasize certain sounds differently.
How to Say Thursday in Other Languages
Comparing jueves with other languages can help you understand its unique characteristics:
- In French: jueves is "jeudi".
- In German: jueves translates to "Donnerstag" (Thursday).
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The fastest way to grow your Spanish vocabulary is to start with the words you'll actually encounter every day. The Spanish Frequency Dictionary covers the 2,500 most common Spanish words, each with IPA pronunciation, an English translation, and bilingual example sentences.
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