весенние кани́кулы
vesennije kaníkulyplural
The English phrase spring break is translated into Russian as весенние кани́кулы (vesennije kaníkuly).
весенние кани́кулы refers to a vacation during the spring. Note that кани́кулы specifically refers to academic breaks or holidays for students, rather than a general vacation for working adults.
Meaning: vacation during the spring (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective весенние (spring) and the plural noun кани́кулы (holidays/vacation).
How do you pronounce it?
vesennije kaníkuly
Did you know?
- The word кани́кулы is a loanword from the Latin 'canicula', which means 'little dog' and refers to the Dog Star, Sirius.
- Because кани́кулы implies a school break, using it to describe a professional's time off might sound like you are calling that adult a child. It is a subtle linguistic distinction that marks one's professional standing.
- The adjective весенние comes from the root весна, which is shared with the word весну́шка, meaning 'freckle'.
Examples in context
- Мои весенние кани́кулы будут очень длинными.Moi vesenniye kanikuly budut ochen' dlinnymi.My spring break will be very long.
- Где ты проведёшь весенние кани́кулы?Gde ty provedyosh' vesenniye kanikuly?Where will you spend your spring break?
- Мы планируем весенние кани́кулы в горах.My planiruyem vesenniye kanikuly v gorakh.We are planning a spring break in the mountains.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Olga are discussing their upcoming plans at a cafe.
- Дмитрий DmitryОльга, ты уже запланировала весенние кани́кулы?Ol'ga, ty uzhe zaplanirovala vesenniye kanikuly?Olga, have you already planned your spring break?
- Ольга OlgaПока нет, я ещё выбираю направление.Poka net, ya eshchyo vybirayu napravleniye.Not yet, I am still choosing a destination.
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ тоже хочу отличные весенние кани́кулы.Ya tozhe khochu otlichnyye vesenniye kanikuly.I also want a great spring break.
- Ольга OlgaДмитрий, давай поедем вместе!Dmitriy, davay poyedem vmeste!Dmitry, let's go together!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spring break” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
