о́тпуска
ótpuskafeminine
The Bulgarian word for holiday (as in a period of time off from work) is о́тпуска (ótpuska). Wiktionary also lists о́тпуск (ótpusk) and вака́нция (vakáncija).
Meaning: period of one or more days taken off work for leisure and often travel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Bulgarian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| о́тпуска | ótpuska | feminine |
| о́тпуск | ótpusk | masculine |
| вака́нция | vakáncija | feminine |
The term refers to a period of one or more days taken off work for leisure and travel. To express the specific phrase 'to be on holiday', you use the construction на о́тпуска.
Which one should you use?
о́тпуска is a feminine noun, while о́тпуск is a masculine noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word о́тпуска is a feminine noun, whereas о́тпуск is a masculine noun and вака́нция is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
ótpuska
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using празник when you mean a personal vacation or time off from work. In Bulgarian, празник refers specifically to a public holiday or a celebration, rather than your own personal leave.
Did you know?
- While о́тпуск means 'holiday' in a professional context, it is also the standard term for 'leave' in the military, reflecting the word's historical connection to being 'released' from duty.
- Bulgarian distinguishes between вака́нция, used for students' school breaks, and о́тпуск, used for employees' time off. Using о́тпуск to describe a summer break from university would sound unnatural to a native speaker.
- The word о́тпуска can also function as a verb in different contexts, meaning 'to let go' or 'to release', showing how a single root can shift from leave to the act of releasing.
Examples in context
- Тази о́тпуска ще е много дълга.Tazi otpuska shte e mnogo dălgа.This holiday will be very long.
- Аз планирам моята о́тпуска за лятото.Az planiram moyata otpuska za lyatoto.I am planning my holiday for the summer.
- Следващата ми о́тпуска е в юни.Sledvashtata mi otpuska e v yun.My next holiday is in June.
Example conversation
Victoria and Ivan are talking about their work schedules.
- Виктория ViktoriyaИван, кога е твоята о́тпуска?Ivan, koga e tvoyata otpuska?Ivan, when is your holiday?
- Иван IvanМоята о́тпуска започва след две седмици.Moyata otpuska zapochva sled dve sedmitsi.My holiday starts in two weeks.
- Виктория ViktoriyaТи ще пътуваш ли?Ti shte patuzhash li?Are you going to travel?
- Иван IvanДа, ще отида на море.Da, shte otida na more.Yes, I am going to the sea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “holiday” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
