🚫📆💼

How to Say ‘There's no need on weekdays’ in French

Ce n'est pas la peine en semaine

eh pah lah PEHN ahn suh-MEHN

[eh pah lah PEHN ahn suh-MEHN]

🇫🇷 In France: Weekday evenings in France are usually quiet. Restaurants, parking spaces and tables fill up on Friday and Saturday nights.

Phrase Breakdown

Ce n'est pas la peine

eh pah lah PEHN

There's no need

A set phrase said as one unit: 'se nè pa la pènn'. It politely tells someone something isn't necessary.

Example

Ce n'est pas la peine de venir.

There's no need to come.

Words in this phrase

est

[eh]

Third person singular present of be.

Example

C'est important.

It is important.

pas

[pah]

not

Used with 'ne' to form a negative.

Example

Je ne comprends pas.

I do not understand.

[lah]

the

A definite article preceding a noun.

Example

La porte est ouverte.

The door is open.

peine

[PEHN]

trouble / effort

Here in 'ce n'est pas la peine': it's not worth it, not necessary.

Example

Ce n'est pas la peine de venir.

There's no need to come.

en semaine

ahn suh-MEHN

on weekdays

'En semaine' means during the week, as opposed to the weekend. Say 'an se-mènn', with a nasal 'en'.

Example

Je travaille en semaine.

I work on weekdays.

Words in this phrase

[ahn]

during

Preposition; 'en semaine' means on weekdays.

Example

Je travaille en semaine.

I work on weekdays.

semaine

[suh-MEHN]

week

Feminine noun; 'en semaine' = during the week.

Example

Une semaine de vacances.

A week of holiday.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant lessons were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer