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der Ruhetag
closing day
A weekday on which a business, especially a restaurant or small shop, is closed to customers.
example
Das Restaurant hat am Montag Ruhetag.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
der Ruhetag
rest day / closing day
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound word
'Der Ruhetag' (rest day / closing day) is a compound noun made from 'die Ruhe' (rest/quiet) and 'der Tag' (day). The meaning can be understood literally: it is a day when things are quiet, either in a business or for a person.
EXAMPLE
Sonntags ist bei uns Familientag, das ist ein Tag der Ruhe.
Sundays are family day for us; that is a day of rest.
Sentence structure and usage
When referring to a business, the structure '(weekday) ist Ruhetag' ((weekday) is the closing day) or 'Das Geschäft hat am (Wochentag) Ruhetag' (The shop is closed on (weekday)) is often used. The verb is usually 'sein' (to be) or 'haben' (to have).
EXAMPLE
Achtung, das Museum hat dienstags Ruhetag.
Note: the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Typical collocations
When a person is resting, the typical expressions are 'einen Ruhetag einlegen' (to take a rest day), 'einen Ruhetag machen' (to have a rest day), or 'sich einen Ruhetag gönnen' (to treat oneself to a rest day). These emphasize the active decision to take a break.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Marathonlauf hat die Sportlerin erstmal einen Ruhetag eingelegt.
After the marathon, the athlete first took a rest day.
Context clue
You can tell whether the business-related or personal meaning is intended from the subject of the sentence. If it is a restaurant, shop, or museum, the closing day is meant. If it is a person, the rest day is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die kleine Boutique hat montags immer Ruhetag. (Geschäft)
The small boutique is always closed on Mondays. (business)
Compare with
Ruhetag vs Sonntag
Sunday
'der Sonntag' and 'der Ruhetag' can both refer to a day without work or a day for rest. The difference is: 'der Sonntag' is always a fixed day of the week. 'der Ruhetag' describes the function of a day: you rest, do not work, or a business is closed. A 'Ruhetag' can be Sunday, but also Monday or another day. The words are easy to confuse because Sunday is a day of rest for many people. If the day of the week is important, you say 'Sonntag'. If it is about rest or a business being closed, 'Ruhetag' is more precise.
Ruhetag
Montag ist im kleinen Restaurant Ruhetag, deshalb bekommen wir dort kein Essen.
Monday is the small restaurant's closing day, so we cannot get any food there.
Sonntag
Am Sonntag besucht meine Kollegin ihre Großeltern.
On Sunday, my colleague visits her grandparents.
In real life
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