bonnes vacances
To say 'enjoy your vacation' in French, use bonnes vacances.
bonnes vacances is the standard and most common way to wish someone a pleasant time while they are away on holiday in French. Instead of using a verb that translates to 'enjoy', French speakers typically use this phrase directly.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'good holidays'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase bonnes vacances, the adjective bonnes is in the feminine plural form to agree with the feminine plural noun vacances.
Did you know?
- While English speakers often say 'Enjoy your holiday', French speakers rarely use the verb 'jouir' to express enjoyment of a vacation, as it often carries a strong sexual connotation.
- In France, the concept of les vacances is so central to culture that there is a specific word for the 'bridge' days, le pont, used to extend a holiday when a public holiday falls near a weekend.
- The word vacances comes from the Latin vacare, meaning 'to be empty' or 'free', referring to the emptiness of a schedule rather than the destination.
Examples in context
- Passez de bonnes vacances! J'espère que vous vous amuserez bien à la plage.Have a good vacation! I hope you have a great time at the beach.
- Merci, bonnes vacances à toi aussi !Thanks, have a good vacation too!
- Je vous souhaite de bonnes vacances.I wish you a pleasant vacation.
- Allez, bonnes vacances et à bientôt !Anyway, enjoy your vacation and see you soon!
Example conversation
Léa is saying goodbye to Lucas at the office before his trip.
- LéaTu pars demain, n'est-ce pas ?You are leaving tomorrow, aren't you?
- LucasOui, je pars pour deux semaines.Yes, I am leaving for two weeks.
- LéaD'accord, bonnes vacances, Lucas !Okay, enjoy your vacation, Lucas!
- LucasMerci beaucoup, Léa, à bientôt.Thank you very much, Léa, see you soon.
