How to Say “Holiday” in French: Formal and Informal Ways

When it comes to expanding your vocabulary in a foreign language, it’s essential to know how to express the concept of “holiday.” In French, there are several ways to convey this idea, depending on the level of formality or informality you want to adopt. In this guide, we will explore different phrases and examples to help you master the various ways of saying “holiday” in French.

1. Formal Expressions for “Holiday”

Let’s begin with the formal ways of saying “holiday” in French. These expressions are commonly used in professional or official contexts:

1. Les vacances: This is the most common and widely used term for “holiday” in French. It is neutral in tone and can be applied to any type of vacation, whether it’s for leisure, travel, or relaxation.
   

   Je vais en vacances en Bretagne cet été. (I am going on holiday to Brittany this summer.)

2. Les congés: This expression is often used in professional settings to refer to allotted days off or vacation time.
   

   J’ai pris mes congés pour passer du temps avec ma famille. (I took my days off to spend time with my family.)

3. Les jours de repos: When you want to emphasize the idea of day(s) off, you can use this formal expression.
   

   Mon employeur m’a accordé deux jours de repos supplémentaires. (My employer granted me two extra days off.)

2. Informal Expressions for “Holiday”

If you’re looking for more casual or colloquial ways to say “holiday” in French, consider these options:

1. Les vacances: Yes, you read it right – “les vacances” can also be used informally. In fact, it is the most commonly used word regardless of formality.
   

   Je pars en vacances à la plage avec mes amis. (I’m going on holiday to the beach with my friends.)

2. Les congés payés: This expression, which literally means “paid leave,” is commonly used among friends or in casual conversations.
   

   J’ai enfin mes congés payés, on part à la montagne. (I finally have my paid leave; we’re going to the mountains.)

3. Les jours off: In informal contexts, English terms are sometimes used with a French twist. “Les jours off” is a playful way to refer to days off.
   

   J’ai besoin de quelques jours off pour me reposer. (I need a few days off to relax.)

3. Regional Variations

French is spoken in many diverse regions, each with its own idiosyncrasies and vocabulary. Although the phrases discussed above are widely understood throughout the French-speaking world, it’s essential to be aware of some regional variations:

• Les vacances d’été vs. Les grandes vacances: In France, the summer holidays can be referred to as either “les vacances d’été” or “les grandes vacances.” The latter is slightly more informal and is commonly used in everyday conversations, especially among school-aged individuals.
  

  J’ai hâte d’être aux grandes vacances pour partir à la mer. (I can’t wait for the summer holidays to go to the sea.)

• Les vacances de Noël vs. Les fêtes de fin d’année: During the winter holiday season, Christmas holidays can be described as either “les vacances de Noël” or “les fêtes de fin d’année.” The latter encompasses the broader end-of-year celebrations and may also include New Year’s holidays.
  

  Je vais rendre visite à ma famille pendant les fêtes de fin d’année. (I’m going to visit my family during the end-of-year celebrations.)

Remember, while these regional variations exist, they are not essential to daily conversations and are mostly optional. It’s always safer to stick with more common and widely understood expressions like “les vacances” or “les congés.”

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now mastered various ways of saying “holiday” in French. Whether you need to express the concept formally or informally, you have a range of options to choose from. Keep in mind that “les vacances” is the go-to expression in almost all contexts, while other phrases like “les congés” or “les jours de repos” add variety and depth to your vocabulary. Don’t forget to consider regional variations and use them as needed to better connect with native speakers from specific French-speaking areas. Now, go ahead and confidently embrace your next French conversation about holidays! Bonne chance!