French · Travel & Getting Around
"Vacation (holiday)" in French: vacances
les vacances
Vacation in French is les vacances, always plural. Être en vacances means to be on vacation. Partir en vacances means to go on holiday.
Office chat
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How to pronounce vacances
Say it
leh vah-KAHNS
/le va.kɑ̃s/
leh vah-KAHNS. Nasal -ances; the final s is usually silent. Vacances has stress toward the end.
"Vacation (holiday)" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| les vacances | vacation / holidays Always plural. | Always plural. |
| en vacances | on vacation State. | State. |
| partir en vacances | to go on vacation Travel plans. | Travel plans. |
| les vacances d'été | summer vacation School and work breaks. | School and work breaks. |
How to use vacances in real life
- 1Office chat
Je suis en vacances la semaine prochaine.
I'm on vacation next week.
En vacances.
- 2Travel plan
On part en vacances en Bretagne.
We're going on vacation to Brittany.
Partir en vacances.
- 3School calendar
Les vacances d'hiver commencent lundi.
Winter break starts Monday.
Les vacances + season.
Mistakes English speakers make with vacances
Incorrect: Je suis en vacation.
Correct: Je suis en vacances.
French uses vacances, not vacation.
Incorrect: Ma vacance est super.
Correct: Mes vacances sont super.
Always plural: les vacances.
Good to know
French school calendars revolve around les vacances. Adults also say je suis en vacances even for a short week off.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Planning August
ChatPal
Tu prends des vacances en août ?
Are you taking vacation in August?
You
Oui, deux semaines de vacances au bord de la mer.
Yes, two weeks of vacation by the sea.
ChatPal
Chanceux !
Lucky you!
You
Tu viens nous rejoindre un week-end ?
Want to join us for a weekend?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Vacation (holiday)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Vacation (holiday)" in French
How do you say vacation in French?
Les vacances.
Why plural?
French always uses the plural form vacances.
How do you say on vacation?
En vacances.
How do you pronounce vacances?
vah-KAHNS.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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