últimas vacaciones
/ultimas bakaθjones/from spelling rules
The English phrase "last vacation" is translated into Spanish as últimas vacaciones.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word vacaciones is a plural noun in Spanish, so the adjective últimas must also be in its plural form to agree in number. Additionally, the phrase is almost always used with the definite article las to mean "the last vacation" (las últimas vacaciones).
How do you pronounce it?
/ultimas bakaθjones/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the singular última vacación, but in Spanish, vacaciones is a plural noun and should be used in the plural form.
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word puente meaning 'bridge' for a short vacation that connects a holiday to a weekend. If your últimas vacaciones were just a long weekend, you might call it a puente.
- In Spanish, the word vacaciones comes from the Latin vacatio, meaning 'emptiness' or 'freedom from duty'. It describes the state of being vacant rather than the act of traveling.
- While vacaciones is always plural, the word for 'holiday' as a single special day is festivo or feriado. This means you cannot use vacaciones to describe a one-day break.
Examples in context
- Quisiera compartir mi viaje más reciente a la costa caribeña de México.I would like to share my most recent trip to the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
- ¡Mis últimas vacaciones en la playa fueron increíbles! Disfruté mucho del sol y la arena.My last vacations at the beach were incredible! I really enjoyed the sun and sand.
- Recuerdo la última vez que estuve de vacaciones en España. Fue una experiencia inolvidable.I remember the last time I was on vacation in Spain. It was an unforgettable experience.
- Mis últimas vacaciones fueron en México.My last vacation was in Mexico.
- ¿Te gustaron tus últimas vacaciones?Did you like your last vacation?
- No puedo olvidar mis últimas vacaciones en la playa.I cannot forget my last vacation at the beach.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are chatting about their travels.
- LucíaMe gustaron mucho mis últimas vacaciones.I really liked my last vacation.
- JavierYo también, fueron increíbles.Me too, they were incredible.
- LucíaJavier, ¿adónde fuiste tú?Javier, where did you go?
- JavierFui a la playa con mi familia.I went to the beach with my family.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
