Which one should you use?
vacances refers to a general period of time off, whereas the term férié is used to describe a specific public holiday or bank holiday.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a period of time away from work or school, the word vacances is always used in its plural form. For example, you would say les vacances to mean 'the holidays'.
How do you pronounce it?
/va.kɑ̃s/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers frequently try to use the singular form vacance to mean a single holiday, but when you are talking about a vacation or a period of time off, you must use the plural vacances.
When do people say it?
French speakers use various specific terms for different holidays, such as Noël (Christmas), Le Jour de l'An (New Year's Day), Pâques (Easter), La Toussaint (All Saints' Day), La Fête du Travail (Labor Day) and La Saint-Valentin (Valentine's Day).
Did you know?
- The French phrase faire le pont (to make the bridge) describes taking a Friday or Monday off when a jour férié falls on a Thursday or Tuesday to create a long weekend of vacances.
- When requesting time off from a boss, French speakers use the verb poser (to place), as in poser ses jours. This treats the requested vacances as if they were physical tiles being placed on a calendar.
- The word vacances comes from the Latin 'vacans', meaning 'empty' or 'free', referring to the void left in a schedule when work stops.
Examples in context
- Vive les vacances !Here's to the holidays!This sentence is useful for celebrating the start of the holidays using vacances.Tatoeba #6192283 by felix63, translation #6736466 by Eccles17
- Profite de tes vacances.Enjoy your holidays.This sentence is useful for telling someone to enjoy their vacances.Tatoeba #575505 by sacredceltic, translation #19758 by CK
- La fin des vacances arrive.The holidays are coming to an end.This sentence is useful for noting that the vacances are ending.Tatoeba #3017755 by Blabla, translation #10498511 by sundown
- Je vous souhaite un Joyeux Noël !I wish you a Merry Christmas!
- Joyeuses Pâques !Happy Easter!
- Je vous souhaite de Joyeuses Pâques !I wish you a Happy Easter!
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking about their summer plans.
- HugoTu pars où pendant les vacances ?Where are you going during the holidays?
- ManonJe vais au bord de la mer.I am going to the seaside.
- HugoC'est super pour les vacances !That is great for the holidays!
- ManonOui, j'ai hâte d'y être.Yes, I can't wait to be there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vacances, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
