buone vacanze
The English phrase "have a wonderful holiday" is expressed in Italian as buone vacanze.
This phrase is a friendly wish used to tell someone to enjoy their time off from work or school. In Italian, the verb "to have" is omitted in this greeting, so you simply say buone vacanze to mean "have a wonderful holiday".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "good holidays".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective buone is the feminine plural form of buona used to agree with the feminine plural noun vacanze.
Did you know?
- The word vacanza can also be used to describe a 'vacancy' in a job or a physical gap. This is why an English speaker might find the word 'vacant' surprisingly similar to the Italian word for 'holiday'.
- The word vacanze comes from the Latin 'vacans', meaning 'empty'. This describes the feeling of a space being unoccupied or a person being free from duties rather than just a trip to a destination.
- If you wish someone a good holiday during the Christmas season, you are more likely to hear buone feste. The word feste refers to the 'festivities' or 'holidays' as a collective celebratory period rather than a vacation from work.
Examples in context
- Ti auguro buone vacanze.I wish you a wonderful holiday.
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are saying goodbye at the office before the summer break.
- GiuliaCiao Francesco, ci vediamo a settembre!Bye Francesco, see you in September!
- FrancescoSì, buone vacanze a te, Giulia!Yes, have a wonderful holiday, Giulia!
- GiuliaGrazie mille, anche a te!Thanks a lot, to you too!
- FrancescoA presto!See you soon!
