The 11th. "This" is the upcoming. "Next" is the one after that.
Source: being a human being and scheduling stuff with people for many decades
Saturday the 4th is part of "this week" so it's "this Saturday".
Saturday the 11th is part of "next week" so it's "next Saturday".
Otherwise "next Saturday" and "Saturday next week" would mean different things.
"This Saturday" is the first Saturday occurring in the next 7 days. ""Next Saturday" is the one after "This Saturday".
I would call the 4th "this Saturday", and the 11th "next Saturday". But it's ambiguous enough to ask for clarification.
I'd interpret "next Saturday" as the one on the 11th, and "this Saturday" as the one on the 4th.
Approximately 5 days before the day in question, "next" becomes "this".
That's the answer.
Excellent question that has always bothered me too.
It goes like this
"Next Saturday"
"You mean this Saturday? Or next Saturday?"
"Next Saturday"
"Okay"
Because English is not an efficient tool for communication.
Absolutely this. Because it is never clear which is meant without being qualified, you have to do this every time unless you specify. I would just say Saturday the 4th to save the exchange.
I've found that the meaning depends on regional differences in both English and Norwegian, and as a result I never use "next Sunday". I say "Sunday in a week and a half" or the date instead.
Same in France.
I think in German it's not regional but pure chaos
Edit: here is a map. You don't need to understand German to see there ain't no patterns
The way I interpret it is that "next Sunday" is the same as saying "next week's Sunday." Meanwhile, "this sunday" refers to "this week's Sunday." So if it's Friday and I want to meet 5 days from now, I would call it next Wednesday. But if it's Monday and I want to meet 5 days from now, I call it this Saturday
But also, anyone with even a bit of courtesy would give a full date, along with the day of the week, if they're the to schedule something
Today is Friday, 3/1.
"This Saturday" - Saturday 3/2.
"Next Saturday" - Saturday 3/9.
This Saturday is the Saturday that is occurring in that week, i.e. the 4th, and next Saturday would be the 11th.
I would immediately ask. As others have mentioned, "this Saturday" would mean the 4th in your example, but next is too ambiguous; the 4th is the next Saturday on the calendar.
This same thing can happen outside of English as well.
You can also look up "half five". Depending upon your culture, it means 5:30 (half PAST five) or 4:30 (halfway UNTIL five in the hour before).
I think a lot of people are over thinking this. I don't think anyone would say next Saturday meaning this Saturday at all. You'd just say Saturday.
Like, "I'm going to see dune 2 Saturday." There is no need to clarify which Saturday it's going to be if you don't muddy it by trying to qualify it needlessly.
So next Saturday should always be the Saturday after this upcoming one.
coming Saturday = Saturday 4th
next Saturday = Saturday 11th
'This' is the first Saturday, 'next' is the second Saturday, from whatever day that you are in.
Just stop being ambiguous. Give a specific date, because based on the number of answers here "next Saturday" could mean anything from last week to 6 years from now (yes, I'm being dramatic for effect).
It's the same with "bi-weekly". Does that mean twice every week, or once every 2 weeks?
There's a bunch of ambiguous stuff in the English language. The only real solution is just avoid ambiguity in the first place by not using the phrase
This is why I NEVER use the word "inflammable." "Flammable" doesn't have that built-in possibility to confuse apprentices.
Next could mean either technically haha
Generally where I am next or this Saturday would be the 4th and "a week Saturday" would be the 11th.
Saturday is Saturday. Next Saturday is not. Otherwise why add the modifier?
you meet in 3 days.
I'd clarify with them but probably the 4th. As a kid I was raised that "this X" is the next one and "next X" is the one after that. But as an adult I can't say I've ever talked to someone who actually used it that way. Instead "this X" and "next X" mean the same thing (the next one after today)
In my language we can use a word that would translate to nearest / closest Saturday but the equivalent of this Saturday works fine too, to pin point the first upcoming one. Something like next Saturday is a shortcut from Saturday in the upcoming week — which in full form is used pretty often too.
I'm a firm believer that "Next Saturday" refers to the upcoming one, however, I understand most people do not, therefore it's easiest to ask how many days, or the specific date. I.E. Saturday the 15th, Weekend of the 15th, in 12 days.
1) Be nice and; have fun
Doxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them
2) All posts must end with a '?'
This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?
3) No spam
Please do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.
4) NSFW is okay, within reason
Just remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either [email protected] or [email protected].
NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].
5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions.
If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email [email protected]. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.
Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.
Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu
