Which one should you use?
While English speakers often use words like "great" or "good", German speakers more frequently use schön (beautiful/nice) to express this sentiment. You may also encounter the shorter version Schönen Urlaub, which is a common and slightly more casual way to express the same wish. If you are wishing a student or a child a good break from school, use Schöne Ferien instead of Schönen Urlaub.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase Einen schönen Urlaub is in the accusative case because it implies the full sentence Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Urlaub (I wish you a beautiful vacation).
When do people say it?
If the person you are speaking to is also going on vacation, a common response to your wish is Danke, gleichfalls! (Thanks, likewise!).
Did you know?
- German has a specific term Urlaubsreif, which literally means 'ripe for vacation' and is used when someone is completely exhausted from work.
- German law provides some of the most generous mandatory minimum paid Urlaub periods in the world, often exceeding 20 days per year.
- The word Urlaub stems from the Middle High German 'urloup', which is fundamentally tied to the verb 'erlauben', meaning 'to permit'.
Examples in context
- Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Urlaub.I wish you a pleasant vacation.
- Ich wünsche Ihnen einen wunderbaren Urlaub.I wish you a wonderful vacation.
- Genießen Sie Ihren Urlaub in vollen Zügen!Enjoy your vacation to the fullest!
- Ich wünsche dir einen tollen Urlaub.I wish you a great vacation.
- Hab einen super Urlaub!Have a fantastic vacation!
- Ich wünsche dir einen tollen Urlaub in Berlin!I wish you a great vacation in Berlin!
- Einen schönen Urlaub wünsche ich dir!I wish you a great vacation!
- Einen schönen Urlaub für die ganze Familie!A great vacation for the whole family!
- Wir wünschen euch einen schönen Urlaub.We wish you all a great vacation.
Example conversation
Julian and Julia are saying goodbye at the office on a Friday afternoon.
- JulianBis nächste Woche, Julia!See you next week, Julia!
- JuliaJa, bis dann, Julian.Yes, see you then, Julian.
- JulianEinen schönen Urlaub noch!Have a great vacation!
- JuliaDanke, das wünsche ich dir auch.Thanks, I wish you the same.
