Articles and days of the week

Articles and days of the week
 

I know that in Spanish, definite articles are used with the days of the week more than in English. So maybe I tend to overuse them. :)

I wrote the following sentence:
En España, el primer día de la semana es el lunes y el séptimo es el domingo.

But my workbook said that the correct answer was así:
En España, el primer día de la semana es el lunes y el séptimo es el domingo.

CAN articles be used there and not sound awkward? Is there some efficient kind of rule to remember when articles are used with the days of the week and when they're not?

Gracias!!

Both ways are correct, to me at least.

It sounds extremely weird to me without the articles. I can't say "el primer día de la semana es" and not saying "el lunes". But I'd hardly ever say it that way. I'd say "En España la semana comienza en lunes" or "En España la semana comienza los lunes". Telling "el primer día de la semana es lunes" seems to be ambiguously suggesting that Sunday (or Friday, or Saturday) is called "lunes" in Spain, so to speak. By saying "el lunes" we know it is "lunes" as we know it.

Is is the same book that speaks with a strong foreign accent?

They are correct es el Lunes and es Lunes.

Please you correct me if it's necessary.

Corrections given. :)

Thank you so much for the suggestions.

Are you are great teach for me since I entered to this place.


Best Regards.

I would have written the sentence the way you did. I don't think there's a rule but, in doubt, use the article. I can't think of a single case in which the use of the article is wrong.

I guess as you though it.

Two ways are correct
 

Two ways are correct.

You don't capitalize the days of the week? That's odd.

What are the rules for capitalization in Spanish?

Not only is that a great question, but why don't you ask it in a separate thread so that we can have a discussion about Spanish capitalization. We definitely use a LOT more capitals in English! :)

Oh sure, why not. . .