A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "This weekend" in Spanish
Say 'este fin de semana' to talk about plans for the upcoming weekend in Spanish.
este fin de semana
ES-teh FEEN deh see-MAH-nahneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when you're discussing plans or events happening from Friday evening through Sunday. It's perfect for making arrangements or asking about what someone else is doing.
Alternatives
- el fin de semanaUse this when referring to a weekend in general, not necessarily the upcoming one.
- este findeThis is a very casual, shortened version, best for close friends.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'fin' with 'final'
'Fin' means end, while 'final' often refers to a final exam or a championship game.
Using 'este fin de semana' for past weekends
This phrase specifically means the upcoming weekend; use 'el fin de semana pasado' for the one that just ended.
A small cultural note
Weekends are a prime time for social gatherings and family activities across the Spanish-speaking world. Plans are often made last minute, but asking about them in advance is always polite.
When you'd actually say this
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Texting a coworker about hiking
You're at your desk on a Thursday afternoon, and your coworker Daniela mentions she's been wanting to try the trail outside town. You pull out your phone and type, '¿Vas a ir este fin de semana?' The office hum is in the background and you're half-watching the clock.
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Asking your host family's plans
You're staying with a family in Guadalajara and it's Friday morning at breakfast. The smell of fresh tortillas is in the air and the father is already grabbing his keys. You want to know if they'll be around, so you ask, '¿Tienen algo planeado este fin de semana?'
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Declining a party invitation politely
A neighbor knocks on your apartment door in Buenos Aires to invite you to a gathering. You already have plans to visit a friend in Rosario, so you say, 'Este fin de semana no puedo, pero gracias.' You're holding the door half-open, keys already in your hand.
Related ways to say it in Spanish
- este finde semana — this weekend
- A hybrid form heard in parts of Spain where 'finde' is expanded back out; more casual than the full phrase but less clipped than 'finde' alone.
- este sábado y domingo — this Saturday and Sunday
- Use when you want to be explicit that both days are involved, or when 'fin de semana' might be ambiguous about whether Friday evening is included.
- estos días — these days / over the next few days
- Vaguer than 'este fin de semana'; used in casual speech when the exact days matter less than the general near-future window.
- el próximo fin de semana — next weekend
- Use this when speaking on a Monday through Wednesday and you want to make clear you mean the weekend that is still more than a few days away, not the immediately approaching one.
Notes for English speakers
- English speakers often stress 'semana' on the wrong syllable, landing on 'SE-mana' instead of 'se-MA-na'; the stress falls on the second-to-last syllable, which shifts the rhythm of the whole phrase.
- 'Fin de semana' is grammatically masculine, so any adjective modifying it must agree accordingly — 'este fin de semana' is correct, and you would say 'un fin de semana largo' (a long weekend), not 'una fin de semana larga'.
- In several Latin American countries, particularly in the Southern Cone, Friday evening is not automatically considered part of the weekend in casual conversation the way it often is in English, so if your plans start Friday night, it can be worth specifying 'el viernes por la noche' to avoid confusion.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between este fin de semana and el fin de semana?
'Este fin de semana' refers specifically to the upcoming weekend. 'El fin de semana' can refer to any weekend, past, present, or future, depending on context.
How do I say 'next weekend' in Spanish?
You can say 'el próximo fin de semana' for next weekend. Sometimes, depending on context, 'este fin de semana' can also imply the next one if the current one is already over.
Can I use 'este fin de semana' for Friday?
Yes, 'este fin de semana' generally encompasses Friday evening through Sunday. It's the standard way to refer to the entire upcoming weekend period.
What is the Spanish word for weekend?
The most common Spanish word for weekend is 'fin de semana'. It literally translates to 'end of the week'.
How do you say this weekend in Spanish?
You say 'este fin de semana' to mean 'this weekend' in Spanish.
How to say have a good weekend in Spanish?
You can say 'que tengas un buen fin de semana' to wish someone a good weekend.
What is the Spanish word for weekend in slang?
While 'fin de semana' is standard, slang usage is less common and can vary regionally. Sticking to 'fin de semana' is generally understood.
