Vacation in French

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The word for “vacation” in French is:

les vacances

Pronounced: [le va.kɑ̃s]

It is a feminine plural noun, always used in the plural form even when referring to a single vacation.

Gender and Article

  • les vacances — the vacation(s)

  • des vacances — some vacation time

  • en vacances — on vacation

  • partir en vacances — to go on vacation

Example:
Je suis en vacances cette semaine.
I’m on vacation this week.

Related Vocabulary

  • un voyage — a trip

  • un séjour — a stay

  • un congé — time off (from work)

  • la plage — the beach

  • les vacances d’été — summer vacation

  • les vacances d’hiver — winter break

  • les grandes vacances — summer holidays (school break)

  • réserver — to book

  • faire sa valise — to pack your suitcase

10 usage examples with translations

  1. On part en vacances demain.
    We’re leaving on vacation tomorrow.

  2. Les vacances scolaires commencent en juillet.
    School holidays start in July.

  3. Tu as passé de bonnes vacances ?
    Did you have a good vacation?

  4. Je suis rentré de vacances hier.
    I came back from vacation yesterday.

  5. Ils vont en vacances à la montagne.
    They’re going on vacation in the mountains.

  6. Nous avons réservé nos vacances d’été.
    We booked our summer vacation.

  7. Pendant les vacances, je me repose.
    During vacation, I rest.

  8. Elle rêve de vacances au bord de la mer.
    She dreams of a vacation by the sea.

  9. Il a pris deux semaines de vacances.
    He took two weeks of vacation.

  10. Les vacances sont faites pour se détendre.
    Vacations are made for relaxing.