prendre des vacances
To take a vacation in French is prendre des vacances.
The phrase is used to express the intention or action of spending time away from work or school for the purpose of rest or pleasure.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to to take some vacations.
Which one should you use?
While prendre des vacances describes the action of taking the time off, you should use être en vacances to describe the state of currently being on vacation.
How does it change in a sentence?
This phrase always uses the plural vacances. You cannot use the singular une vacance to refer to a vacation period.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying prendre une vacance. English speakers often make this error because 'vacation' is singular in English, but in French, the concept of a holiday period is almost always plural.
Did you know?
- In France, the concept of les congés payés or paid leave is a significant cultural right established by law in 1936.
- The word vacances shares the same root as the English word 'vacant', coming from the Latin word for 'empty'.
- The verb prendre in this context shares a history with the English word 'prehend', found in 'apprehend', suggesting the act of 'seizing' or 'grabbing' time for oneself.
Examples in context
- Tu devrais prendre des vacances.You should take a vacation.This sentence is useful for suggesting that someone take a break using prendre des vacances.Tatoeba #1820510 by sacredceltic, translation #1818260 by Spamster
- Je compte prendre des vacances en mai.I expect to take a vacation in May.This sentence is useful for expressing an intention to take a break in a specific month using prendre des vacances.Tatoeba #7490 by Bruno, translation #252588 by CN
- Je préfère prendre des vacances en hiver.I prefer to take a vacation in the winter.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for the timing of a break using prendre des vacances.Tatoeba #8447944 by Aiji, translation #7798704 by AlanF_US
- Je vais prendre des vacances en France cet été.I will take a vacation in France this summer.
- J'ai décidé de m'octroyer quelques jours de congés pour me reposer.I have decided to grant myself a few days off to relax.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two coworkers are chatting in the office about their upcoming plans.
- NathanTu veux prendre des vacances bientôt ?Do you want to take a vacation soon?
- ManonOui, je vais prendre des vacances en juillet.Yes, I am going to take a vacation in July.
- NathanC'est une excellente idée, Manon.That is an excellent idea, Manon.
- ManonMerci, Nathan. Tu as des projets ?Thanks, Nathan. Do you have any plans?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries des, prendre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
