buone vacanze
In Italian, "have a good vacation" is translated as buone vacanze.
Buone vacanze is a common and general way to wish someone an enjoyable time during their holiday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the feminine plural adjective buone (good) and the feminine plural noun vacanze (holidays/vacations).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because vacanze is a feminine plural noun, the adjective must also be in the feminine plural form, buone.
When do people say it?
When someone wishes you buone vacanze, a common response when speaking to a friend is grazie, anche a te (thanks, to you too). In a formal context, you should instead respond with grazie, anche a Lei (thanks, to you too).
Did you know?
- While vacanze refers to holidays, the singular vacanza can mean 'vacancy' or 'emptiness'. This is why a room available in a hotel is described as vacante.
- In Italy, the most prestigious summer holiday is Ferragosto, occurring on August 15. It is so significant that many businesses and shops close entirely for several days around this date.
- In many Italian regions, the 'vacanze' season is so culturally significant that businesses may close entirely for several weeks, a practice known as 'chiusura estiva'.
Examples in context
- Buone vacanze, Maria!Have a good vacation, Maria!
- Auguri per le tue vacanze!Best wishes for your vacation!
- Buone vacanze a tutti!Have a good vacation, everyone!
- Ti auguro buone vacanze.I wish you a good vacation.
- Buone vacanze, ci vediamo al ritorno.Have a good vacation, see you when you return.
Example conversation
Francesco is seeing Chiara off at the airport before her trip.
- FrancescoIl tuo volo è tra un'ora.Your flight is in an hour.
- ChiaraSì, sono molto emozionata.Yes, I am very excited.
- FrancescoBuone vacanze, Chiara!Have a good vacation, Chiara!
- ChiaraGrazie mille, Francesco!Thanks a lot, Francesco!
