les vacances
In French, the phrase for the holidays is les vacances.
les vacances refers to a period of time when a person is free from work or school for recreation. If you want to say that you are "on holiday", you use the phrase en vacances. Additionally, you can say Bonnes Vacances to mean "Have a good holiday" when someone is about to go on vacation.
Which one should you use?
While les vacances refers to a period of recreation or time off, the singular form la vacance is used to refer to a vacancy or an empty position in a job.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, you can greet others with Bonne Chandeleur during the celebration of La Chandeleur.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a period of recreation, the word is always plural.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the singular form la vacance to mean a holiday. However, in this sense, the word must be plural.
When do people say it?
During the festive season, you can use Bonnes Fêtes to say "Happy Holidays". To say "Merry Christmas", the most common expression is Joyeux Noël. For a formal way to say "Best Wishes" for the New Year, use Meilleurs Vœux.
Did you know?
- The word vacances shares a root with the English word 'vacation' and the word 'vacuous'. All three stem from the Latin word for 'empty', describing a space cleared of its usual occupants or duties.
- In French schools, les vacances are strictly regulated by the state and divided into specific zones. This prevents all students in the country from being on holiday at the same time, which would overwhelm tourist areas.
- In France, the 'August holidays' are so culturally significant that many businesses and smaller shops close entirely for several weeks. This tradition of les vacances d'été can leave entire villages feeling deserted.
Examples in context
- Vive les vacances !Here's to the holidays!This sentence is useful for expressing excitement about the holidays using les vacances.Tatoeba #6192283 by felix63, translation #6736466 by Eccles17
- Je vais à Boston pour les vacances.I'm going to Boston for the holidays.This sentence shows how to use les vacances to indicate a destination for a holiday.Tatoeba #6367970 by Aiji, translation #2539486 by CK
- Les vacances sont finies maintenant.The holidays are over now.This sentence demonstrates how to use les vacances to state that a holiday period has ended.Tatoeba #3631 by TRANG, translation #11930948 by sundown
- Joyeux Noël et Bonnes Fêtes à vous et votre famille! Que cette période soit remplie de joie et de bonheur!Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family! May this period be filled with joy and happiness!
- Je te souhaite de passer de superbes vacances. Amuse-toi bien et profite de chaque instant!I wish you a fantastic holiday. Have fun and enjoy every moment!
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking about their upcoming break from school.
- HugoOù vas-tu pour les vacances ?Where are you going for the holidays?
- ManonJe vais au bord de la mer.I am going to the seaside.
- HugoC'est super, profite bien des vacances !That's great, enjoy the holidays!
- ManonMerci, toi aussi !Thanks, you too!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
