Which one should you use?
While Schönen Urlaub specifically refers to a vacation or a trip, Schöne Feiertage would be used instead for public holidays like Christmas.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Schönen Urlaub! is a common, shortened expression suitable for both casual acquaintances and professional settings. For more formal well wishes, you can use Ich wünsche Ihnen einen erholsamen Urlaub! (I wish you a relaxing holiday) or Ich wünsche Ihnen einen angenehmen Urlaub! (I wish you a pleasant holiday). In informal situations, you might say Genieß deinen Urlaub! (Enjoy your holiday), Viel Spaß im Urlaub! (Have fun on your vacation) or Erhol dich gut! (Rest well).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavaria, you may hear Schene Feierdog! or Guadn Urlaub! to wish someone a nice holiday. In Swiss German, people might say Schöni Ferie! or Gueti Ferie! In Austrian German, Schene Feiertog! is an alternative way to wish someone a good holiday.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃøːnən ˈuːɐ̯ˌlaʊ̯p/
When do people say it?
If someone says Schönen Urlaub to you, a natural response is Danke, gleichfalls! (Thanks, likewise!) if you are also going on holiday or simply Danke! if you are not.
Did you know?
- The word Urlaub shares a common ancestor with the English word 'leave', specifically in the sense of having 'leave' or permission to be away from work.
- The word Urlaub shares the same linguistic root as the German verb erlauben, which means 'to permit' or 'to allow'.
- The phrase Schönen Urlaub uses the adjective schön, which literally means 'beautiful' rather than 'nice'.
Examples in context
- Hatten Sie einen schönen Urlaub?Did you have a nice holiday?This sentence uses Schönen Urlaub to ask if someone had a nice holiday.Tatoeba #4933403 by Hime, translation #10741460 by sundown
- Ich wünsche euch einen schönen Urlaub!Hope you have a nice holiday.This sentence uses Schönen Urlaub to express a wish for someone to have a nice holiday.Tatoeba #8634526 by Melang, translation #8935576 by sundown
- Schönen Urlaub!Have a nice holiday.This sentence uses Schönen Urlaub as a direct way to say "Have a nice holiday."Tatoeba #1315696 by al_ex_an_der, translation #273948 by CK
- Liebe Frau Schmidt, wir wünschen Ihnen einen schönen Urlaub!Dear Ms. Schmidt, we wish you a pleasant holiday!
- Genießen Sie Ihre wohlverdiente Auszeit. Ich wünsche Ihnen einen erholsamen Urlaub!Enjoy your well-deserved break. I wish you a relaxing holiday!
- Viel Spaß im Urlaub!I hope you have a blast during your time off.
- Erhol dich gut!Take some time for yourself and rest well.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At the office on a Friday afternoon before the summer break.
- MaximilianMorgen geht es endlich los!It finally starts tomorrow!
- SarahIch freue mich sehr darauf.I am looking forward to it very much.
- MaximilianSchönen Urlaub, Sarah!Have a nice holiday, Sarah!
- SarahDanke, Maximilian. Dir auch eine gute Zeit!Thanks, Maximilian. Have a good time too!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (schönen, Urlaub) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Urlaub, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
