Schöne Feiertage
The German phrase for "happy holiday" is Schöne Feiertage.
Schöne Feiertage is a greeting used to wish someone a pleasant time during a festive period or a series of public holidays. It is commonly used when a period of several holidays is approaching, such as the Christmas and New Year period. For a more specific greeting, you might use Frohe Weihnachten for Christmas or Frohes Neues Jahr for New Year.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of schöne (beautiful/nice) and Feiertage (holidays/festive days).
Which one should you use?
While Schöne Feiertage covers a general festive period, you should use Frohe Weihnachten if you want to say "Merry Christmas" specifically. Schöne Feiertage! can also be used as a standalone exclamation when greeting or parting from someone during a festive season.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective schöne is in the plural nominative form to match the plural noun Feiertage.
Did you know?
- In professional emails, Schöne Feiertage is often paired with und einen guten Rutsch, a phrase wishing someone a 'good slide' into the New Year.
- If you want to wish someone a 'happy holiday' in the sense of a 'pleasant vacation', you would use Schönen Urlaub instead of Schöne Feiertage.
- The adjective schön shares an ancient root with the English word 'sheen', referring to something that is bright or shining.
Examples in context
- Hallo Klaus! Frohe Feiertage! Was hast du für Weihnachten geplant?Hello Klaus! Happy holidays! What do you have planned for Christmas?
- Das klingt wunderbar! Genieße die Feiertage und das leckere Essen!That sounds wonderful! Enjoy the holidays and the delicious food!
- Schöne Feiertage!Happy holidays!
- Ich wünsche euch schöne Feiertage.I wish you all happy holidays.
- Wir wünschen Ihnen schöne Feiertage.We wish you happy holidays.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are saying goodbye before a long holiday weekend.
- JuliaSchöne Feiertage, Julian!Happy holidays, Julian!
- JulianDanke, Julia, das wünsche ich dir auch!Thanks, Julia, I wish the same to you!
- JuliaGenieß die freie Zeit!Enjoy the free time!
- JulianDas werde ich machen.I will do that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Schöne, CC BY-SA 4.0.
