felices vacaciones
/feliθes bakaθjones/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'have a great holiday' is expressed as felices vacaciones.
This phrase is used to wish someone an enjoyable time during their vacation. While English uses a verb phrase starting with 'have', Spanish speakers typically use an adjective-noun phrase to express this sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase felices vacaciones, the adjective felices is the plural form of feliz (happy). It must be used in its plural form to agree with the plural noun vacaciones.
How do you pronounce it?
/feliθes bakaθjones/
Did you know?
- The word vacaciones comes from the Latin vacatio, which means 'being free' or 'emptiness'. It describes a period where one is empty of duties rather than a trip to a specific place.
- While feliz means 'happy', it is used in felices vacaciones where English would use 'great' or 'wonderful'. Using grandes vacaciones would sound like you are commenting on the size or length of the trip rather than the quality.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, you might hear ¡Buen viaje! instead of felices vacaciones. This shifts the focus from the destination to the act of traveling itself.
Examples in context
- Espero que tengan felices vacaciones en la playa.I hope you have a great holiday at the beach.
- ¡Felices vacaciones, nos vemos a la vuelta!Have a great holiday, see you when you get back!
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are saying goodbye at the office before his summer break.
- María¡Felices vacaciones, Alejandro!Have a great holiday, Alejandro!
- AlejandroMuchas gracias, María. ¡Igualmente!Thank you very much, María. You too!
- María¿Vas a viajar a la montaña?Are you going to travel to the mountains?
- AlejandroSí, voy a ir con mis padres.Yes, I am going with my parents.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
