vacaciones de verano
/bakaθjones de beɾano/from spelling rules
In Spanish, summer break is vacaciones de verano.
This phrase refers to the period of time during the summer when students have no classes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of vacaciones (vacations/holidays) and de verano (of summer).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because vacaciones is a plural noun, it must be used with the plural article las and plural verbs.
How do you pronounce it?
/bakaθjones de beɾano/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the singular vacación de verano to mean summer vacation. In Spanish, the concept of a holiday period is almost always expressed in the plural vacaciones.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the 'summer break' actually happens in December or January because these regions are in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The word verano comes from a Latin root that originally meant 'spring'. Over time, the meaning shifted to refer to the hotter season of summer.
- While English speakers use 'break' to describe this period, Spanish speakers use vacaciones, a word that implies 'emptiness' or 'being void' of work or duties.
Examples in context
- Las vacaciones de verano terminan demasiado pronto.Summer break ends too soon.This sentence shows how to use vacaciones de verano with a verb.Tatoeba #1905783 by Shishir, translation #10611672 by DJ_Saidez
- En cumplimiento del calendario académico, todos los estudiantes disfrutarán de la temporada de vacaciones de verano a partir del 15 de julio.According to the academic calendar, all students will enjoy the summer vacation season starting on July 15th.
- Estoy muy emocionado porque por fin llegaron las vacaciones de verano. ¡Vamos a la playa!I'm so excited because the summer holidays have finally arrived. Let's go to the beach!
- Nosotros planeamos las vacaciones de verano.We are planning our summer break.
- ¿Cuándo empiezan tus vacaciones de verano?When does your summer break start?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their upcoming holiday.
- SofíaYa casi empiezan las vacaciones de verano.Summer break is almost starting.
- JavierSí, estoy muy emocionado por viajar.Yes, I am very excited to travel.
- SofíaYo voy a visitar a mi abuela.I am going to visit my grandmother.
- JavierEso suena como un gran plan, Sofía.That sounds like a great plan, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, verano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
