What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "how passed themselves your holidays?" because the verb se passer is reflexive.
Which one should you use?
While comment se sont passées tes vacances ? is a standard way to ask the question, you can also use the more casual structure tes vacances se sont bien passées ? in spoken French by stating the subject and verb with a rising intonation. For a more sophisticated way to ask about a getaway, you can use Comment s'est déroulée votre escapade ?
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase comment se sont passées tes vacances ?, the past participle passées must be feminine plural to agree with the subject vacances.
When do people say it?
When responding to this question, a common way to answer is by using the reflexive verb se passer in the past tense, such as Ça s'est très bien passé. (It went very well.).
Did you know?
- In France, the custom of 'les vacances' often involves a massive seasonal exodus in August, where many shops and small businesses close entirely for several weeks.
- The word vacances comes from the Latin 'vacare', meaning 'to be empty' or 'to be free'. It describes the state of being free from duties rather than the trip itself.
- If a French person answers that their holiday was pas mal, they might actually mean it was very good, as it is a common understated form of praise.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are catching up at a coffee shop.
- ChloéSalut Lucas ! Comment se sont passées tes vacances ?Hi Lucas! How was your vacation?
- LucasC'était génial, merci Chloé.It was great, thanks Chloé.
- ChloéTu es allé à la montagne ?Did you go to the mountains?
- LucasOui, et le paysage était magnifique.Yes, and the scenery was magnificent.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comment, se, tes, CC BY-SA 4.0.
