At the A1 level, 'vacances' is one of the most important and exciting words you will learn. It means 'vacation' or 'holidays'. The most important rule to remember is that in French, this word is always plural. You will never say 'une vacance' to mean a holiday. You must always say 'les vacances' (the holidays) or 'des vacances' (some holidays). Because it is a feminine plural word, any adjectives you use with it must also be feminine and plural. For example, to wish someone a good trip, you say 'Bonnes vacances !' (Good holidays!). When you want to tell someone that you are on vacation, you use the phrase 'en vacances'. You say 'Je suis en vacances' (I am on vacation). You do not use the word 'les' in this specific phrase. If you want to say you are going on vacation, you use the verb 'partir' (to leave/go): 'Je pars en vacances' (I am going on vacation). You can also talk about specific holidays, like 'les vacances d'été' (summer holidays) or 'les vacances de Noël' (Christmas holidays). Learning these simple phrases will allow you to talk about your travel plans and understand when others talk about theirs. It is a very happy and positive word that you will use very often in casual conversations with friends and teachers.
At the A2 level, your ability to use 'vacances' expands as you learn to talk about the past and the future. You can now describe where you went and what you did. You will use the verb 'passer' (to spend) frequently. For example, 'J'ai passé de bonnes vacances' (I spent a good vacation) or 'Où as-tu passé tes vacances ?' (Where did you spend your holidays?). You will also start using possessive adjectives correctly: 'mes vacances' (my holidays), 'tes vacances' (your holidays), 'ses vacances' (his/her holidays), 'nos vacances' (our holidays). You can describe the duration of your trip using 'pendant' (during): 'J'ai lu trois livres pendant les vacances' (I read three books during the holidays). Remember never to say 'dans les vacances'. You will also learn vocabulary related to booking and traveling, such as 'réserver des vacances' (to book a vacation) or 'une location de vacances' (a holiday rental). At this level, you should be comfortable asking others about their plans: 'Vous partez où en vacances cette année ?' (Where are you going on vacation this year?). You will also start to notice the cultural importance of 'les grandes vacances' (the long summer break) in France, which heavily influences traffic, business hours, and daily life in July and August.
At the B1 level, you can discuss 'vacances' with more nuance and cultural awareness. You are no longer just stating facts; you can express opinions and preferences about different types of holidays. You might discuss the pros and cons of 'les vacances à la mer' (beach holidays) versus 'les vacances à la montagne' (mountain holidays). You will learn related vocabulary like 'les congés payés' (paid leave), which is crucial for understanding French work culture. You can explain the French school holiday system, mentioning 'les zones A, B, et C' which divide the country to manage tourist flow during winter and spring breaks. You will use more complex grammatical structures, such as the imperfect tense to describe past habits: 'Quand j'étais petit, nous passions toujours nos vacances en Bretagne' (When I was little, we always spent our holidays in Brittany). You might also use the conditional to talk about dream vacations: 'Pour mes vacances idéales, j'irais au Japon' (For my ideal vacation, I would go to Japan). At this stage, you should also be comfortable with idiomatic expressions like 'avoir besoin de vacances' (to need a vacation) and understand news reports about 'le chassé-croisé' (the heavy traffic when July vacationers return and August vacationers leave).
At the B2 level, 'vacances' becomes a topic for deeper discussion and debate. You can analyze the economic and sociological impacts of tourism and the holiday season in France. You might discuss the phenomenon of 'le tourisme de masse' (mass tourism) and its effect on popular destinations during 'les grandes vacances'. You can articulate the difference between 'juilletistes' (people who take vacation in July) and 'aoûtiens' (people who take vacation in August), a classic French cultural divide. You will be able to read and understand articles about 'le droit aux vacances' (the right to holidays) and the historical significance of the 1936 Front Populaire reforms that introduced paid leave. Your vocabulary will expand to include terms like 'séjourner' (to stay), 'villégiature' (holiday resort/stay), and 'dépaysement' (change of scenery). You can debate the merits of 'le staycation' (staying home for holidays) versus traveling abroad. Grammatically, you will use the subjunctive naturally in sentences like 'Il est important que nous prenions des vacances pour nous reposer' (It is important that we take holidays to rest). You will also master the subtle differences between 'vacances', 'congés', 'RTT', and 'jours fériés' in a professional context.
At the C1 level, your mastery of the word 'vacances' and its associated concepts is highly sophisticated. You can engage in complex sociological and historical discussions about the evolution of leisure time in French society. You understand the profound cultural shift that 'les congés payés' brought to the working class and how it reshaped the French economy and infrastructure (e.g., the development of coastal resorts and the national railway system). You can read literary texts or sociological essays that explore the philosophy of free time and the modern pressure to have 'perfect' holidays. You are fully aware of the singular form 'la vacance' and use it correctly in high-register contexts, such as 'la vacance du pouvoir' (the power vacuum) or 'la vacance d'un poste' (the vacancy of a position). You can employ advanced idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms effortlessly. You might discuss the environmental impact of holiday travel, using precise vocabulary to debate sustainable tourism ('le tourisme vert' or 'l'écotourisme'). Your language is nuanced enough to express irony or subtle critique regarding the commercialization of 'les vacances' or the stress of holiday planning, demonstrating a near-native grasp of both the linguistic and cultural dimensions of the word.
At the C2 level, you possess a bilingual-level understanding of 'vacances', encompassing its etymology, historical evolution, and varied usage across different registers and Francophone cultures. You know that the word derives from the Latin 'vacare' (to be empty/free) and can draw philosophical parallels between the 'emptiness' of a schedule and the concept of leisure. You can effortlessly navigate the literary use of the singular 'la vacance' to mean a state of absence or mental emptiness, as seen in poetry or philosophical texts (e.g., 'la vacance de l'esprit'). You can analyze how the concept of 'vacances' differs between France, Quebec, and Francophone Africa, understanding the socio-economic factors that influence these differences. You can critique academic papers on the sociology of leisure, discussing concepts like 'la fracture touristique' (the inequality in access to holidays). Your command of the language allows you to play with the word, using it metaphorically or ironically in complex rhetorical structures. You understand every cultural reference, from classic films like 'Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot' to the latest political debates about modifying the school holiday calendar ('le rythme scolaire'). At this level, 'vacances' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a lens through which you can analyze French society, history, and literature.

vacances در ۳۰ ثانیه

  • Always plural: 'les vacances'.
  • Means vacation or holidays.
  • Use 'en vacances' (on vacation).
  • Verb: 'partir en vacances' (to go).
The French word 'vacances' is a fundamental vocabulary item that every learner encounters early in their journey, typically at the A1 level. It translates directly to 'vacation' in American English or 'holidays' in British English. However, understanding 'vacances' goes far beyond a simple translation; it requires diving into the cultural, grammatical, and historical significance of leisure time in France. First and foremost, 'vacances' is almost exclusively used in the plural form when referring to a period of rest, travel, or time off from work or school. You will rarely, if ever, hear a French person say 'une vacance' to mean a holiday. The singular form 'la vacance' exists, but it belongs to a completely different register and context, usually meaning a 'vacancy' (like an empty position in a company or a vacant seat of power). Therefore, when you want to talk about your summer trip to the South of France, you must always use the plural: 'les vacances'.

J'adore les vacances d'été.

The concept of 'vacances' is deeply ingrained in the French psyche. France is famous for its generous paid leave system, known as 'les congés payés', which was historically introduced in 1936 during the Front Populaire government. This monumental social shift allowed the working class to travel and enjoy leisure time for the first time in history, forever cementing 'les vacances' as a sacred right rather than a luxury.
Grammar Note
Always use plural articles (les, des, aux) and plural adjectives (bonnes, longues) with vacances.
When discussing 'vacances', you will often hear specific terms related to the time of year. For instance, 'les grandes vacances' refers specifically to the long summer break that school children and many workers take in July and August. This period is so culturally significant that the entire country seems to slow down, with many businesses closing entirely for several weeks.

Pendant les grandes vacances, Paris est vide.

Furthermore, the school year in France is punctuated by several shorter holiday periods, known as 'les vacances scolaires'. These include 'les vacances de la Toussaint' (Autumn break around All Saints' Day), 'les vacances de Noël' (Christmas holidays), 'les vacances d'hiver' (Winter break, often used for skiing), and 'les vacances de printemps' or 'vacances de Pâques' (Spring or Easter holidays).
Cultural Fact
France divides its regions into three zones (A, B, and C) for winter and spring school holidays to prevent overcrowding at ski resorts and tourist destinations.

Nous partons au ski pendant les vacances d'hiver.

The word itself comes from the Latin 'vacare', which means to be empty, free, or unoccupied. This etymology perfectly captures the essence of the word: a time when one's schedule is emptied of obligations, allowing for freedom and relaxation. In everyday conversation, 'vacances' is a highly positive word, associated with joy, family, travel, and rest. Whether you are talking about a quick weekend getaway or a month-long expedition across the globe, the word remains the same.

Vive les vacances !

Synonym Context
While 'congés' refers to the official paid days off from work, 'vacances' refers to the actual experience and time of the holiday itself.

Mes vacances en Italie étaient inoubliables.

To truly master this word, you must embrace its plural nature and its cultural weight. It is not just a pause in work; it is a celebrated institution in the Francophone world, a time to recharge, explore, and enjoy the art of living, or 'l'art de vivre'. By understanding 'vacances', you unlock a crucial part of French culture and daily conversation.
Using the word 'vacances' correctly in French requires mastering a few specific prepositions and verbs that frequently accompany it. Because 'vacances' is a plural noun, English speakers often make mistakes by trying to translate phrases literally. The most important phrase to learn is 'en vacances', which means 'on vacation' or 'on holiday'. Notice that there is no article between 'en' and 'vacances'. You do not say 'en les vacances' or 'sur vacances'. The preposition 'en' is fixed in this expression.

Je suis en vacances la semaine prochaine.

This phrase is typically used with the verb 'être' (to be) to describe your state of being. 'Je suis en vacances' (I am on vacation), 'Il est en vacances' (He is on vacation).
Key Verb
Être en vacances : To be on vacation. This is the most common state-of-being expression.
Another crucial verb to use with 'vacances' is 'partir' (to leave/to go). When you want to say 'to go on vacation', the French say 'partir en vacances'.

Nous allons partir en vacances en Espagne.

If you want to talk about spending your holidays somewhere, you use the verb 'passer' (to spend). 'Passer ses vacances' means to spend one's holidays.

Elle aime passer ses vacances à la montagne.

Time Expressions
Use 'pendant les vacances' to say 'during the holidays'. Never use 'dans les vacances'.
When wishing someone a good holiday, you simply say 'Bonnes vacances !'. Because 'vacances' is a feminine plural noun, the adjective 'bon' must agree, becoming 'bonnes'.

Au revoir et bonnes vacances !

It is also common to use possessive adjectives with 'vacances'. You can talk about 'mes vacances' (my vacation), 'tes vacances' (your vacation), 'ses vacances' (his/her vacation), 'nos vacances' (our vacation), 'vos vacances' (your vacation - formal/plural), and 'leurs vacances' (their vacation).

Comment se sont passées tes vacances ?

Question Format
To ask someone about their trip, use 'C'était bien, les vacances ?' or 'Tu as passé de bonnes vacances ?'
In professional contexts, you might need to set an out-of-office reply. A standard French out-of-office message often begins with 'Je suis actuellement en vacances jusqu'au...' (I am currently on vacation until...). Understanding these collocations and grammatical structures is essential for sounding natural. The word 'vacances' is incredibly versatile, but its surrounding grammar is rigid. By memorizing 'être en vacances', 'partir en vacances', 'passer ses vacances', and 'pendant les vacances', you will cover 95% of the everyday usage of this essential French word. Practice these chunks rather than trying to construct sentences word-by-word from English, and you will speak about your holidays with native-like fluency.
The word 'vacances' is ubiquitous in French daily life, media, and culture. You will hear it constantly, not just during the summer, but year-round as people plan, anticipate, and reminisce about their time off. In the workplace, 'les vacances' is a frequent topic of conversation around the coffee machine. Colleagues will ask each other, 'Tu pars où pour les vacances ?' (Where are you going for the holidays?) or 'Quand est-ce que tu prends tes vacances ?' (When are you taking your vacation?).

Je pose mes vacances en août cette année.

Workplace Lingo
'Poser ses vacances' is the common way to say 'to request/schedule one's vacation days' at work.
In the news and media, 'les vacances' dominates the headlines during specific times of the year. During the summer, you will frequently hear about 'le chassé-croisé des vacances', a term used to describe the massive traffic jams that occur when the 'juilletistes' (those who take vacation in July) return home and the 'aoûtiens' (those who take vacation in August) depart.

Bison Futé prévoit des bouchons pour le premier week-end des vacances.

In the context of education, 'les vacances scolaires' dictate the rhythm of the year for families with children. News reports will announce 'le début des vacances scolaires' (the start of school holidays) or 'la fin des vacances' (the end of the holidays), often accompanied by reports on train ticket prices or airport crowds.

Les enfants sont impatients d'être en vacances.

School Context
The return to school after the long summer vacation is called 'la rentrée', a major cultural event in France.
You will also hear 'vacances' in advertising. Travel agencies, airlines, and hotels constantly use the word to sell packages: 'Réservez vos vacances de rêve' (Book your dream vacation) or 'Promotions sur les vacances au soleil' (Discounts on holidays in the sun).

Gagnez des vacances pour deux personnes !

In literature and cinema, 'les vacances' is a classic setting for stories. Many famous French films, such as 'Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot' (Monsieur Hulot's Holiday) or 'Les Bronzés', center around the comedic or dramatic events that unfold during the summer break. The concept of the 'cahier de vacances' (holiday workbook) is another cultural touchstone; these are educational workbooks that children complete during the summer to prepare for the next school year.

Il a oublié son cahier de vacances à la maison.

Pop Culture
The 'tube de l'été' (summer hit song) is the soundtrack to everyone's 'vacances' in France.
From casual chats with friends to official government announcements regarding school zones, 'vacances' is a word that permeates every level of French society. It represents a collective sigh of relief, a national pursuit of leisure, and a fundamental aspect of the French lifestyle.
When learning the word 'vacances', English speakers frequently fall into a few predictable traps. The most glaring and common mistake is attempting to use the word in the singular form to mean 'a vacation'. In English, we say 'I am going on a vacation' (singular). If you translate this directly to French as 'Je pars pour une vacance', a native speaker will immediately recognize you as a foreigner, and they might even be confused. In French, 'la vacance' means a vacancy, such as 'la vacance du pouvoir' (the vacancy of power). To talk about your holiday, you must always, without exception, use the plural: 'les vacances'.

Je prends mes vacances en juillet. (NOT: ma vacance)

Singular vs Plural
Always treat 'vacances' as a feminine plural noun. Use 'les', 'des', 'mes', 'tes', 'ses', 'nos', 'vos', 'leurs'.
Another very common error involves prepositions. English speakers often want to say 'during the vacation' and might incorrectly translate this as 'dans les vacances'. In French, 'dans' means 'inside' in a physical sense. The correct preposition for 'during' is 'pendant'. Therefore, you must say 'pendant les vacances'.

Il a beaucoup lu pendant les vacances. (NOT: dans les vacances)

Similarly, learners often struggle with how to say 'on vacation'. The literal translation 'sur vacances' is entirely incorrect. The fixed expression is 'en vacances'.

Nous sommes en vacances. (NOT: sur vacances)

Preposition Rule
Never use an article after 'en' in this expression. It is 'en vacances', not 'en les vacances'.
A fourth mistake relates to adjective agreement. Because 'vacances' ends in 's', learners remember it is plural, but they often forget it is feminine. When wishing someone a good vacation, you must say 'Bonnes vacances' (feminine plural), not 'Bons vacances' (masculine plural).

Passez de bonnes vacances !

Finally, learners sometimes confuse 'vacances' with 'voyage' (trip). While you often take a 'voyage' during your 'vacances', they are not the same thing. You can be 'en vacances' and stay at home (a staycation). If you say 'J'ai fait de bonnes vacances' (I made a good vacation), it sounds unnatural. You should say 'J'ai fait un bon voyage' (I had a good trip) or 'J'ai passé de bonnes vacances' (I spent a good vacation).

J'ai passé d'excellentes vacances chez moi.

Verb Choice
Use 'passer' (to spend) with vacances, not 'faire' (to do/make).
By avoiding these common pitfalls—using the singular, choosing the wrong prepositions, failing to agree adjectives, and confusing it with 'voyage'—you will sound much more natural and confident when discussing your time off in French.
The French language has a rich vocabulary for discussing time off, and while 'vacances' is the most common word, several other terms are used in specific contexts. Understanding the nuances between these words is crucial for achieving fluency and navigating professional and social situations in France. The most important related word is 'congé' (often used in the plural as 'les congés'). While 'vacances' refers to the general concept of a holiday or the experience of being off, 'congés' refers specifically to the official, authorized days off from work. When you talk to HR about your paid leave, you talk about your 'congés payés'.

Il me reste cinq jours de congés avant les vacances d'été.

Congés vs Vacances
'Congés' is administrative and professional; 'vacances' is personal and experiential.
Another very common term in the French workplace is 'RTT' (Réduction du Temps de Travail). These are special rest days granted to employees who work more than the standard 35-hour week. Taking an 'RTT' is taking a day off, but it is distinct from taking a day of 'vacances'.

Je prends un RTT vendredi pour prolonger mes vacances.

Then there are 'les jours fériés', which are public holidays (like Bastille Day on July 14th or Christmas). These are national days off, not personal vacation days. When a 'jour férié' falls on a Thursday or a Tuesday, the French often 'font le pont' (make the bridge) by taking the Friday or Monday off to create a four-day weekend. This mini-break is a beloved tradition but is usually referred to as 'un pont' or 'un long week-end' rather than 'des vacances'.

Nous faisons le pont de l'Ascension avant les grandes vacances.

Faire le pont
Taking a day off between a public holiday and the weekend to create a long break.
The word 'voyage' (trip/journey) is also related but distinct. A 'voyage' is the act of traveling from one place to another. You can take a business trip ('un voyage d'affaires') which is definitely not 'vacances'.

Leur voyage de noces était de vraies vacances de rêve.

Finally, the word 'repos' means rest. While 'vacances' ideally involve 'repos', you can take a day of 'repos' without being on 'vacances'.

J'ai besoin de repos après ces vacances fatigantes !

Nuance Summary
Vacances (holiday experience), Congés (official leave), RTT (comp time), Jour férié (public holiday), Pont (long weekend).
By distinguishing between these terms, you will be able to navigate French calendars, workplace conversations, and social plans with the precision of a native speaker.

چقدر رسمی است؟

سطح دشواری

گرامر لازم

Feminine plural adjective agreement (bonnes vacances).

Preposition 'en' with states of being (en vacances).

Verb 'passer' vs 'faire' for spending time.

Possessive adjectives with plural nouns (mes, tes, ses).

Negative structures with plural nouns (pas de vacances).

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

Je suis en vacances.

I am on vacation.

Use 'en' without an article before 'vacances'.

2

Bonnes vacances !

Have a good vacation!

Vacances is feminine plural, so use 'bonnes'.

3

Je pars en vacances demain.

I am going on vacation tomorrow.

Partir en vacances means to go on vacation.

4

J'aime les vacances d'été.

I like summer vacation.

Always use the plural 'les' for holidays.

5

Où vas-tu en vacances ?

Where are you going on vacation?

A simple question using the verb aller.

6

C'est bientôt les vacances.

It is vacation time soon.

C'est is often used informally with plural nouns like vacances.

7

Mes vacances sont super.

My vacation is great.

Use plural possessive 'mes' and plural verb 'sont'.

8

Il est en vacances en Italie.

He is on vacation in Italy.

En vacances is followed by the destination preposition.

1

J'ai passé de très bonnes vacances.

I had a very good vacation.

Use the verb passer (to spend) for holidays.

2

Nous avons loué une maison pour les vacances.

We rented a house for the holidays.

Pour les vacances means 'for the holidays'.

3

Pendant les vacances, je me repose.

During the holidays, I rest.

Use pendant (during), never dans.

4

Ils rentrent de vacances dimanche.

They return from vacation on Sunday.

Rentrer de vacances means to come back from holiday.

5

Tu as beaucoup de devoirs pour les vacances ?

Do you have a lot of homework for the holidays?

Common context for school holidays.

6

Les vacances de Noël sont froides.

The Christmas holidays are cold.

Adjectives must agree (froides is feminine plural).

7

Je n'ai pas de vacances cette année.

I don't have a vacation this year.

In the negative, des becomes de.

8

C'était comment, tes vacances ?

How was your vacation?

Informal way to ask about someone's trip.

1

J'ai vraiment besoin de vacances en ce moment.

I really need a vacation right now.

Avoir besoin de (to need) takes 'de' before vacances.

2

Les grandes vacances durent deux mois en France.

The long summer holidays last two months in France.

Les grandes vacances specifically refers to the summer break.

3

Nous préférons partir hors vacances scolaires.

We prefer to go outside of school holidays.

Hors means outside of; useful for avoiding crowds.

4

Il a posé trois semaines de vacances en août.

He requested three weeks of vacation in August.

Poser des vacances is workplace slang for scheduling time off.

5

Si j'avais de l'argent, je prendrais de longues vacances.

If I had money, I would take a long vacation.

Conditional sentence using si + imparfait.

6

C'est la fin des vacances, il faut reprendre le travail.

It's the end of the holidays, we have to go back to work.

La fin des vacances is a common melancholic phrase.

7

Ils ont passé leurs vacances à rénover la maison.

They spent their holidays renovating the house.

Passer ses vacances à + infinitive.

8

Les vacances à la montagne coûtent cher.

Mountain holidays are expensive.

Coûter cher is used to express high cost.

1

Le chassé-croisé des vacances a provoqué d'énormes bouchons.

The holiday traffic crossover caused huge traffic jams.

Chassé-croisé refers to the July/August vacationer swap.

2

Bien que je sois en vacances, je consulte mes e-mails.

Even though I am on vacation, I check my emails.

Bien que requires the subjunctive (sois).

3

L'instauration des congés payés a révolutionné les vacances des Français.

The introduction of paid leave revolutionized French people's holidays.

Historical context requiring advanced vocabulary.

4

Beaucoup de familles optent pour le staycation au lieu de partir en vacances.

Many families opt for a staycation instead of going on vacation.

Au lieu de + infinitive (partir).

5

Il est primordial que vous preniez des vacances pour éviter le surmenage.

It is essential that you take a vacation to avoid burnout.

Il est primordial que + subjunctive (preniez).

6

Les professionnels du tourisme se réjouissent des excellents chiffres de ces vacances.

Tourism professionals are delighted with the excellent figures for these holidays.

Se réjouir de means to be delighted by.

7

Nous avons dû annuler nos vacances à la dernière minute.

We had to cancel our vacation at the last minute.

Devoir in passé composé (avons dû) means 'had to'.

8

Les aoûtiens ont eu moins de chance avec la météo pendant leurs vacances.

The August vacationers had less luck with the weather during their holidays.

Aoûtiens is a specific cultural term for August holidaymakers.

1

La vacance du pouvoir a plongé le pays dans une crise institutionnelle.

The power vacuum plunged the country into an institutional crisis.

Here, vacance is singular, meaning vacancy or vacuum.

2

Le droit aux vacances est perçu comme un acquis social inaliénable en France.

The right to holidays is perceived as an inalienable social right in France.

Acquis social is a key concept in French labor discussions.

3

L'industrie du tourisme doit repenser son modèle pour des vacances plus écoresponsables.

The tourism industry must rethink its model for more eco-responsible holidays.

Use of advanced adjectives like écoresponsables.

4

Il s'est octroyé quelques jours de vacances pour pallier son épuisement professionnel.

He granted himself a few days of vacation to overcome his professional exhaustion.

S'octroyer (to grant oneself) and pallier (to mitigate/overcome).

5

La massification des vacances a indéniablement altéré le charme de certains littoraux.

The massification of holidays has undeniably altered the charm of certain coastlines.

Massification is an advanced sociological term.

6

Dès l'entame des vacances scolaires, les gares parisiennes sont prises d'assaut.

From the very start of the school holidays, Parisian train stations are taken by storm.

Dès l'entame (from the start) and prises d'assaut (taken by storm).

7

Ce roman illustre la vacance de l'âme d'une jeunesse désabusée.

This novel illustrates the emptiness of the soul of a disillusioned youth.

Literary use of singular vacance meaning emptiness/idleness.

8

Les clivages socio-économiques se cristallisent souvent autour de la question des départs en vacances.

Socio-economic divides often crystallize around the issue of going on vacation.

Advanced phrasing: se cristallisent autour de.

1

La notion même de vacances s'érode à l'ère de l'hyperconnectivité numérique.

The very notion of vacation is eroding in the era of digital hyperconnectivity.

S'éroder (to erode) used metaphorically.

2

Il a su ménager une vacance salutaire dans son emploi du temps surchargé.

He managed to carve out a beneficial empty space in his overloaded schedule.

Singular vacance meaning a deliberate empty space/break.

3

Les vacances, jadis privilège bourgeois, sont devenues le baromètre de la santé sociale du pays.

Holidays, once a bourgeois privilege, have become the barometer of the country's social health.

Jadis (formerly) and metaphorical use of baromètre.

4

L'injonction au bonheur pendant les vacances génère paradoxalement une anxiété palpable.

The injunction to be happy during the holidays paradoxically generates a palpable anxiety.

Injonction au bonheur is a complex psychological concept.

5

Le législateur a dû intervenir pour combler la vacance juridique entourant les locations saisonnières.

The legislator had to intervene to fill the legal vacuum surrounding seasonal rentals.

Vacance juridique means legal loophole or vacuum.

6

Dans son essai, il fustige la marchandisation frénétique du temps de vacances.

In his essay, he lambasts the frenetic commodification of vacation time.

Fustiger (to lambast) and marchandisation (commodification).

7

Cette période d'oisiveté n'était pas de simples vacances, mais une véritable ascèse spirituelle.

This period of idleness was not a simple vacation, but a true spiritual asceticism.

Contrasting vacances with ascèse (asceticism/discipline).

8

La pérennité du modèle des grandes vacances est aujourd'hui remise en question par les impératifs climatiques.

The sustainability of the long summer holiday model is today being questioned by climate imperatives.

Pérennité (sustainability/longevity) and impératifs climatiques.

ترکیب‌های رایج

partir en vacances
être en vacances
passer ses vacances
les grandes vacances
vacances scolaires
bonnes vacances
rentrer de vacances
un cahier de vacances
un lieu de vacances
un village vacances

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

vacances vs voyage (trip)

vacances vs congés (paid leave)

vacances vs jour férié (public holiday)

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

vacances vs

vacances vs

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

نحوه استفاده

singular warning

Never use 'une vacance' to mean a holiday. It means a vacancy.

verb collocation

Use 'partir en' to go, 'être en' to be, and 'passer ses' to spend.

اشتباهات رایج
  • Saying 'une vacance' instead of 'les vacances'.
  • Saying 'sur vacances' instead of 'en vacances'.
  • Saying 'dans les vacances' instead of 'pendant les vacances'.
  • Saying 'bons vacances' instead of 'bonnes vacances'.
  • Saying 'faire des vacances' instead of 'passer des vacances'.

نکات

Always Plural

Treat 'vacances' like the English word 'scissors' or 'pants'. It is always plural. Use 'les', 'des', 'mes', and add 's' to adjectives.

The Magic 'En'

Burn this phrase into your memory: 'en vacances'. No articles, no other prepositions. Just 'en vacances'.

Partir vs Aller

While you can say 'aller en vacances', native speakers much prefer 'partir en vacances' (to leave on vacation).

Wish Them Well

When a colleague or friend is leaving for a trip, always say 'Bonnes vacances !' It's basic French politeness.

Not 'Dans'

Never say 'dans les vacances'. Use 'pendant les vacances' to mean 'during the holidays'.

Poser des vacances

In an office setting, to request time off is 'poser des vacances' or 'poser des congés'.

Feminine Plural

Remember it's feminine. If you write a card, write 'Passez de BONNES vacances', not 'bons'.

Silent S

The 's' at the end is completely silent. Don't try to pronounce it even if the next word starts with a vowel, usually.

Vacances vs Voyage

You can be 'en vacances' at home (staycation). A 'voyage' specifically implies traveling somewhere.

School Zones

If you live in France, learn your school zone (A, B, or C). It dictates when your winter and spring 'vacances' happen!

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Think of a VACANT office because everyone is on VACANCES.

ریشه کلمه

Latin

بافت فرهنگی

The notorious traffic jam weekend when July and August vacationers cross paths on the highways.

The long summer break in July and August.

The cultural rivalry between those who vacation in July vs August.

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"Où as-tu passé tes dernières vacances ?"

"Tu préfères les vacances à la mer ou à la montagne ?"

"Combien de semaines de vacances as-tu par an ?"

"Quel est ton meilleur souvenir de vacances ?"

"Tu pars avec qui en vacances généralement ?"

موضوعات نگارش

Racontez vos vacances de rêve.

Décrivez vos pires vacances.

Que faites-vous généralement pendant les vacances d'été ?

Pourquoi les vacances sont-elles importantes pour la santé mentale ?

Comparez les vacances dans votre pays avec les vacances en France.

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

No, not when talking about a holiday. 'Une vacance' means a vacancy, like an empty job position. Always use the plural 'les vacances' for holidays.

Always say 'en vacances'. The French do not use 'sur' (on) for this expression. It is a fixed phrase: être en vacances, partir en vacances.

It is feminine. Because it is always plural, you must use feminine plural adjectives with it, such as 'bonnes vacances' or 'longues vacances'.

'Congés' refers specifically to official paid days off from work (administrative). 'Vacances' refers to the actual experience or period of the holiday itself.

You say 'pendant les vacances'. Do not use 'dans les vacances', which is a literal and incorrect translation from English.

This is the specific French term for the long summer school break, which takes place in July and August. It is a major cultural event in France.

No, the final 's' is silent. The word is pronounced /va.kɑ̃s/.

Usually no. You don't 'faire des vacances' (make a vacation). You 'passer des vacances' (spend a vacation) or 'partir en vacances' (go on vacation).

It means to return from vacation. 'Rentrer' is the verb used for going back home after a trip.

Bison Futé is the national traffic prediction service. During holiday departures, they predict where the massive traffic jams ('bouchons') will be.

خودت رو بسنج 200 سوال

writing

Write a short sentence saying you are on vacation.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence wishing your friend a good vacation.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I am going on vacation to France.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence saying where you spent your last vacation.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'During the holidays, I read a lot.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence asking someone where they are going on vacation.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I need a vacation.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence about what you do during the summer holidays.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'We return from vacation on Monday.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence using 'les vacances scolaires'.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'My vacation was great.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence explaining why you like holidays.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'He is on vacation in Italy.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write an out-of-office message saying you are on vacation.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I don't have a vacation this year.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence using the verb 'passer' with vacances.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'The holidays are over.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence about 'les congés payés'.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I am taking three weeks of vacation.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence describing your dream vacation.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
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این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
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این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

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این را بلند بخوانید:

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این را بلند بخوانید:

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این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
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این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
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این را بلند بخوانید:

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این را بلند بخوانید:

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این را بلند بخوانید:

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speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

What state is the speaker in?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

What is the speaker wishing?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Where are they going?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

How was the vacation?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

What does the speaker do during the holidays?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

What is being asked?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

What time is it?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

What does the speaker need?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

What is approaching?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

When is the speaker returning?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

How was the vacation?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Why is there no one around?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Which holidays does the speaker love?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

When did she schedule her vacation?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

What is the speaker expressing?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:

/ 200 درست

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