良い休暇を
yoi kyūka o
The English phrase "enjoy your vacation" is expressed in Japanese as 良い休暇を (yoi kyūka o).
The phrase is used to wish someone a pleasant time while they are on holiday. While you can use 良い休暇を, it is often more natural in Japanese culture to tell someone to "rest well" using ゆっくり休んでください. Other variations include ご旅行をお楽しみください to say "Please enjoy your trip" or ゆっくりお楽しみください to mean "Please enjoy it at a leisurely pace."
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 良い休暇を means "a good vacation" followed by the object marker particle. The verb "to have" or "to wish" is omitted from the expression.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The short form 良い休暇を is suitable for friends or colleagues in casual settings. 楽しんでね means "Enjoy it!" in an informal way.
How do you pronounce it?
yoi kyūka o
When do people say it?
In Japanese culture, it is common to suggest that someone "rest well" (ゆっくり休んでください) as a natural alternative to specifically telling them to "enjoy" their time off.
Did you know?
- When returning from a vacation, the custom is not to describe the 'fun' had, but to bring お土産 (omiyage), which are regional souvenirs given to colleagues to apologize for the absence.
- In Japan, the most popular time for a long vacation is お盆 (Obon) in August, a period for honoring the spirits of ancestors rather than just leisure.
- In a professional setting, rather than wishing someone a good vacation, it is more standard to say お疲れ様です to acknowledge their hard work before they leave.
Examples in context
- それは素晴らしいですね。ご旅行をお楽しみください。That's wonderful. Please enjoy your trip.
- それはすごい！楽しんでね。That sounds amazing! Enjoy it!
- それはいいね！良い休暇を！That sounds good! Have a good vacation!
- 良い休暇を。Yoi kyūka o.Enjoy your vacation.
- 皆、良い休暇を！Minna, yoi kyūka o!Everyone, enjoy your vacation!
Example conversation
A colleague is leaving for a trip at the office.
- 陽太 Yota明日から旅行ですね。Ashita kara ryokō desu ne.You are going on a trip starting tomorrow, right?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とても楽しみです。Hai, totemo tanoshimi desu.Yes, I am looking forward to it very much.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さん、良い休暇を。Himari-san, yoi kyūka o.Himari, enjoy your vacation.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
