о́тпуск
ótpuskmasculine
Vacation in Russian. The default form is о́тпуск (ótpusk). Wiktionary also lists кани́кулы (kaníkuly) and отгу́л (otgúl).
Meaning: period of leisure time (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| о́тпуск | ótpusk | masculine |
| кани́кулы | kaníkuly | feminine, plural |
| отгу́л | otgúl | masculine |
Russian uses different words to describe a period of leisure time based on whether you are talking about work, school or a specific short break.
Which one should you use?
Choose your word based on the specific type of vacation: о́тпуск is used for a scheduled leave of absence from a job or professional duties. кани́кулы refers specifically to school holidays or academic breaks. отгу́л is used to refer to a single day or a short period of time off granted by an employer, often as compensation for extra work.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word кани́кулы is a plural-only noun and does not have a singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ótpusk.
Did you know?
- While кани́кулы means 'school holidays' today it originally referred to the 'canicular days' of the dog star Sirius during the hottest part of the summer.
- In the Soviet era it was common for workers to spend their о́тпуск at a 'sanatorium' which is a health resort focused on medical treatments and wellness.
- The word о́тпуск shares the same root as the verb 'to let go' or 'to release'. Historically it refers to being officially released from your duties by a superior.
Examples in context
- Когда у вас начинается отпуск?When does your vacation start?
- Когда у вас начинаются каникулы?When do your vacations start?
- Планируешь ли ты куда-нибудь поехать на отдых в этом году?Are you planning to go on vacation somewhere this year?
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking at the office.
- Ольга OlgaАлександр, ты уже взял о́тпуск?Aleksandr, ty uzhe vzyal otpusk?Aleksandr, have you taken your vacation yet?
- Александр AleksandrДа, я еду в горы в августе.Da, ya edu v gory v avguste.Yes, I am going to the mountains in August.
- Ольга OlgaЗдорово! А я ещё не решила.Zdorovo! A ya eshchyo ne reshila.Great! I haven't decided yet.
- Александр AleksandrТебе нужно скорее выбрать даты.Tebe nuzhno skoreye vybrat daty.You need to choose the dates soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vacation” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
