der Urlaub, -e
der Urlaub, -e en 30 secondes
- Urlaub is masculine (der) and refers to individual time off from work for employees.
- It differs from 'Ferien', which is for schools, and 'Feiertage', which are public holidays.
- Commonly used with 'im Urlaub sein' (to be on vacation) and 'in den Urlaub fahren' (to go on vacation).
- Germany has strong legal protections for vacation time, typically 25-30 days per year.
The German noun der Urlaub (plural: die Urlaube) is a fundamental term in the German language, primarily referring to the period during which an individual is granted time off from their professional duties or employment for the purpose of rest, recreation, or travel. While often translated simply as 'holiday' (UK) or 'vacation' (US), its usage is strictly tied to the context of work or official leave. Unlike the English word 'holiday', which can also refer to public holidays like Christmas or Easter (known in German as Feiertage), Urlaub specifically denotes the individual entitlement to time away from a job. This distinction is crucial for learners to grasp early on to avoid confusion in professional settings.
- Grammatical Gender
- Masculine (der Urlaub)
- Plural Form
- die Urlaube (though the plural is less common than the singular)
- Core Concept
- Paid or unpaid leave from work for personal recovery.
In a broader sense, Urlaub encapsulates the cultural importance of relaxation in German-speaking societies. Germany, for instance, is known for having some of the most generous vacation policies in the world, with a legal minimum of 20 days for a 5-day work week, though 28 to 30 days are standard in many industries. This makes the concept of 'Urlaub' a central pillar of the 'Work-Life-Balance'. When a German says they are 'im Urlaub', they are not just away; they are exercising a legal and social right to disconnect.
"Ich habe nächsten Monat zwei Wochen Urlaub und fahre nach Italien."
The word itself stems from the Middle High German 'urloup', which originally meant 'permission' (specifically, permission to leave). This historical root is still visible in the modern verb erlauben (to allow/permit). Thus, conceptually, when you take Urlaub, you are taking the 'permission' granted by your employer to be absent. This nuance helps explain why students do not have 'Urlaub' from school; they have Ferien, because their break is a fixed calendar event rather than an individually requested permission from an employer.
"Der Chef hat meinen Urlaub endlich genehmigt."
- Synonym (Contextual)
- Die Ferien (only for schools/universities)
- Synonym (Formal)
- Die Freistellung (release from duties)
Furthermore, Urlaub is often used in compound nouns to specify the type of leave. For example, Bildungsurlaub refers to educational leave, where employees can take time off to attend seminars or courses while still being paid. Sonderurlaub refers to special leave for events like weddings or funerals. These variations highlight how deeply integrated the word is into the legal and social framework of German life.
"Wir machen dieses Jahr Urlaub auf Balkonien."
"Nach dem stressigen Projekt brauche ich dringend Urlaub."
- Antonym
- Die Arbeit (Work)
- Antonym
- Der Alltag (Everyday life)
In summary, der Urlaub is more than just a trip; it is a designated period of freedom from professional obligations. Whether you are lying on a beach in Mallorca (the '17th Federal State' of Germany, as it is jokingly called) or hiking in the Alps, if you are an employee, you are 'im Urlaub'. Understanding this word is the first step to understanding the German approach to leisure and work-life boundaries.
"Schönen Urlaub noch!"
Using der Urlaub correctly involves mastering a few specific prepositions and verbs. The most common mistake for learners is choosing the wrong preposition when describing where they are or where they are going. In German, we distinguish between the state of being on vacation and the action of going on vacation. To say you are currently on vacation, you use im Urlaub sein (in + dem). To say you are going on vacation, you use in den Urlaub fahren/gehen (in + den, accusative for motion).
"Ich bin gerade im Urlaub." (I am currently on vacation.)
When discussing the duration or the act of taking time off, the verb nehmen (to take) is standard. You 'take' vacation days: "Ich nehme mir drei Tage Urlaub." Note the use of the reflexive pronoun mir (dative) to indicate that you are taking it for yourself. Alternatively, you can use beantragen (to apply for) in a formal office context: "Ich habe meinen Urlaub für August bereits beantragt."
- Verbs with Urlaub
- machen (to go on/do vacation)
- verbringen (to spend vacation)
- genießen (to enjoy vacation)
- planen (to plan vacation)
Another important aspect is the plural. While 'Urlaube' exists, it is rarely used to count individual vacations in a year. Instead, Germans often use the singular or refer to the specific destination. For example, instead of saying 'I had three vacations last year', one might say "Ich war letztes Jahr dreimal im Urlaub." (I was on vacation three times last year). This is a more natural way to express frequency.
In professional emails, you will often see the phrase "Abwesenheit wegen Urlaubs" (absence due to vacation). The genitive case here (Urlaubs) is formal and standard for out-of-office replies. If you are setting up an automated reply, you might write: "Ich befinde mich bis zum 15. August im Urlaub und bin nicht erreichbar." (I am on vacation until August 15th and am not reachable).
"Wir machen dieses Jahr Urlaub in den Bergen."
Finally, consider the difference between Urlaub and Freizeit. Freizeit is your daily free time after work or on weekends. Urlaub is a multi-day period specifically carved out from your work schedule. You wouldn't say 'I have Urlaub this Saturday' unless you specifically took a vacation day for a Saturday shift. Usually, you just have 'frei' (free).
"Hast du deinen Urlaub schon geplant?"
You will encounter the word Urlaub in three main environments: the workplace, travel advertisements, and social gatherings. In the workplace, it is a constant topic of discussion, especially during the 'Urlaubsplanung' (vacation planning) phase at the beginning of the year. Colleagues will ask each other about their plans, and managers will discuss 'Urlaubsanspruch' (vacation entitlement) and 'Urlaubsvertretung' (vacation replacement/cover).
- At the Office
- "Wer macht die Urlaubsvertretung für Frau Schmidt?"
- At the Travel Agency
- "Buchen Sie jetzt Ihren Traumurlaub!"
- Among Friends
- "Und, wo geht's im Sommer hin? Schon Urlaub gebucht?"
In the media and advertising, Urlaub is associated with escapism and luxury. Phrases like Traumurlaub (dream vacation), Abenteuerurlaub (adventure vacation), and Last-Minute-Urlaub are ubiquitous on websites like Weg.de or in TV commercials. The German travel industry is massive, as Germans are statistically among the world's most frequent travelers, often dubbed 'Reiseweltmeister' (world champions of travel).
"Der nächste Urlaub kommt bestimmt!" (A common optimistic saying when work is stressful.)
Socially, talking about Urlaub is a standard 'Smalltalk' topic. When meeting someone after a long time, asking "Warst du schon im Urlaub?" is as common as asking about the weather. It is a safe, positive topic that allows people to share stories about their experiences and cultures they've visited. You'll also hear it in the context of 'Urlaubsfotos' (vacation photos), which people might show on their phones.
In more formal or legal contexts, such as news reports about labor laws, you might hear about Mindesturlaub (minimum vacation) or Urlaubsgeld (vacation bonus). Urlaubsgeld is a specific extra payment some employers provide to help employees afford their trips, separate from the regular salary. This is a highly valued benefit in German labor contracts.
"Haben wir noch genug Geld in der Urlaubskasse?"
The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using Urlaub when they should use Ferien. Remember: Ferien is for institutional breaks (school, university, parliament). If a child says "Ich habe Urlaub," it sounds like they have a job! Conversely, if an adult says "Ich habe Ferien," it implies they are either a teacher, a student, or perhaps very nostalgic for their school days.
- Mistake 1: Prepositions
- Saying "auf Urlaub" (influenced by English 'on vacation'). Correct: im Urlaub.
- Mistake 2: Public Holidays
- Saying "Morgen ist Urlaub" for a public holiday. Correct: Morgen ist ein Feiertag.
Another tricky area is the difference between Urlaub and Reise. A Reise is the journey or the trip itself (the movement from A to B). Urlaub is the status of being off work. You can have Urlaub and stay at home (Balkonien), but you cannot have a Reise and stay at home. If you say "Meine Urlaub war schön," you are talking about the time. If you say "Meine Reise war schön," you are talking about the travel experience.
"Falsch: Ich fahre auf Urlaub. Richtig: Ich fahre in den Urlaub."
Gender errors are also common. Since it is der Urlaub (masculine), all associated adjectives and articles must reflect this. In the accusative (when going somewhere), it becomes den Urlaub. In the dative (when being somewhere), it becomes dem Urlaub (contracted to im). Forgetting the '-en' in einen schönen Urlaub is a classic A2-level slip-up.
Lastly, be careful with the verb machen. While Urlaub machen is perfectly fine, avoid using it for short day trips. For a one-day trip, use einen Ausflug machen. Using Urlaub for a Saturday trip to the zoo sounds exaggerated to a native speaker's ears.
To truly master Urlaub, you must understand its 'neighbors' in the semantic field of leisure and travel. The most important distinction is with die Ferien. As discussed, Ferien are fixed periods where an entire institution closes. There are Sommerferien, Winterferien, and Osterferien. Even if you are an adult, you might say "Während der Schulferien ist viel Verkehr," referring to the general time of year.
- Die Reise
- The journey/trip. Focuses on the travel aspect.
- Der Ausflug
- An excursion or day trip. Short duration.
- Die Freizeit
- Free time. General non-working hours.
- Der Feiertag
- Public holiday (e.g., Christmas, May 1st).
Another related word is die Erholung (recovery/relaxation). While Urlaub is the time frame, Erholung is the goal. You go on Urlaub to get some Erholung. If a vacation was stressful, you might say: "Ich hatte zwar Urlaub, aber keine Erholung." (I had vacation, but no relaxation).
"Ein kurzer Ausflug am Wochenende ist kein echter Urlaub."
Then there is die Kur. This is a specific type of health-related vacation, often prescribed by a doctor and partially funded by health insurance, where the person stays at a spa or health resort to recover from an illness or chronic condition. It is much more formal and medical than a standard Urlaub.
Finally, consider der Trip. This is an anglicism used frequently by younger Germans for short, often spontaneous journeys (e.g., "ein Städtetrip nach Berlin"). While Urlaub sounds planned and substantial, Trip sounds casual and modern.
How Formal Is It?
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Guide de prononciation
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Exemples par niveau
Ich habe im August Urlaub.
I have vacation in August.
Simple present tense with 'haben'.
Machst du gerne Urlaub?
Do you like going on vacation?
Question form with 'machen'.
Mein Urlaub ist schön.
My vacation is beautiful.
Possessive pronoun 'mein' + masculine noun.
Wir fahren in den Urlaub.
We are going on vacation.
Accusative case after 'in' (motion).
Schönen Urlaub!
Have a nice vacation!
Accusative case for a greeting.
Wo ist dein Urlaub?
Where is your vacation? (Where are you going?)
Simple question with 'wo'.
Ich brauche Urlaub.
I need vacation.
Verb 'brauchen' + accusative.
Urlaub mit der Familie ist toll.
Vacation with the family is great.
Prepositional phrase 'mit der Familie'.
Ich bin gerade im Urlaub in Italien.
I am currently on vacation in Italy.
Dative case after 'in' (location).
Letztes Jahr hatten wir keinen Urlaub.
Last year we had no vacation.
Präteritum (simple past) of 'haben'.
Wohin fährst du in den Urlaub?
Where are you going for vacation?
Interrogative 'wohin' + accusative.
Ich nehme mir zwei Wochen Urlaub.
I am taking two weeks of vacation.
Reflexive 'mir' + 'nehmen'.
Der Urlaub war viel zu kurz.
The vacation was much too short.
Adverbial phrase 'viel zu kurz'.
Wir planen unseren Urlaub für den Sommer.
We are planning our vacation for the summer.
Possessive 'unseren' in accusative.
Kannst du mir Urlaubsfotos zeigen?
Can you show me vacation photos?
Compound noun 'Urlaubsfotos'.
Ich freue mich auf den Urlaub.
I am looking forward to the vacation.
Reflexive verb 'sich freuen auf' + accusative.
Ich muss meinen Urlaub noch beim Chef beantragen.
I still have to apply for my vacation with the boss.
Modal verb 'muss' + 'beantragen'.
Wer übernimmt deine Urlaubsvertretung?
Who is doing your vacation coverage?
Compound noun 'Urlaubsvertretung'.
In meinem Urlaub möchte ich einfach nur entspannen.
In my vacation, I just want to relax.
Dative possessive 'meinem'.
Haben Sie dieses Jahr schon Urlaub gemacht?
Have you already gone on vacation this year?
Perfekt tense with 'haben'.
Wegen des Urlaubs ist das Büro geschlossen.
The office is closed because of the vacation.
Genitive case after 'wegen'.
Ein Wanderurlaub in den Alpen ist sehr erholsam.
A hiking vacation in the Alps is very relaxing.
Compound noun 'Wanderurlaub'.
Ich habe noch zehn Tage Resturlaub.
I still have ten days of remaining vacation.
Compound noun 'Resturlaub'.
Wir haben den Urlaub wegen Krankheit storniert.
We canceled the vacation because of illness.
Verb 'stornieren' (to cancel).
Ein guter Urlaub trägt wesentlich zur Work-Life-Balance bei.
A good vacation contributes significantly to work-life balance.
Separable verb 'beitragen zu'.
Viele Arbeitnehmer nutzen ihren Bildungsurlaub für Sprachkurse.
Many employees use their educational leave for language courses.
Compound noun 'Bildungsurlaub'.
Nach der Kündigung wurde ihm der restliche Urlaub ausgezahlt.
After the resignation, his remaining vacation was paid out.
Passive voice 'wurde ausgezahlt'.
Er ist reif für den Urlaub und braucht dringend eine Auszeit.
He is ready for vacation and urgently needs a timeout.
Idiom 'reif für den Urlaub sein'.
Während meines Urlaubs bin ich telefonisch nicht erreichbar.
During my vacation, I am not reachable by phone.
Genitive 'meines Urlaubs' after 'während'.
Sonderurlaub kann bei besonderen familiären Ereignissen gewährt werden.
Special leave can be granted for special family events.
Modal passive 'kann gewährt werden'.
Die Urlaubszeit ist die schönste Zeit des Jahres.
Vacation time is the most beautiful time of the year.
Superlative 'schönste'.
Trotz des schlechten Wetters war der Urlaub ein Erfolg.
Despite the bad weather, the vacation was a success.
Genitive after 'trotz'.
Die Kommerzialisierung des Urlaubs führt oft zu Massentourismus.
The commercialization of vacation often leads to mass tourism.
Genitive object 'des Urlaubs'.
Es ist fraglich, ob ein zweiwöchiger Urlaub für eine nachhaltige Erholung ausreicht.
It is questionable whether a two-week vacation is sufficient for sustainable recovery.
Subordinate clause with 'ob'.
Der gesetzliche Urlaubsanspruch ist im Bundesurlaubsgesetz verankert.
The legal vacation entitlement is anchored in the Federal Vacation Act.
Compound noun 'Urlaubsanspruch'.
Manche Menschen leiden nach dem Urlaub unter dem sogenannten 'Post-Holiday-Syndrom'.
Some people suffer from the so-called 'post-holiday syndrome' after vacation.
Prepositional object 'unter dem Syndrom'.
In Zeiten der Digitalisierung verschwimmen die Grenzen zwischen Arbeit und Urlaub.
In times of digitalization, the boundaries between work and vacation are blurring.
Metaphorical use of 'verschwimmen'.
Ein unbezahlter Urlaub kann zur persönlichen Weiterentwicklung genutzt werden.
Unpaid leave can be used for personal development.
Adjective 'unbezahlt'.
Die Vorfreude auf den Urlaub ist oft die schönste Freude.
The anticipation of vacation is often the greatest joy.
Noun 'Vorfreude'.
Die Urlaubsplanung erfordert oft diplomatisches Geschick innerhalb der Familie.
Vacation planning often requires diplomatic skill within the family.
Abstract noun 'Geschick'.
Die philosophische Betrachtung des Urlaubs offenbart unsere Sehnsucht nach Transzendenz.
The philosophical consideration of vacation reveals our longing for transcendence.
Complex genitive construction.
Urlaubsabgeltungsansprüche verfallen nicht automatisch bei langjähriger Krankheit.
Claims for compensation for unused vacation do not expire automatically in the case of long-term illness.
Highly technical legal terminology.
Der Urlaub fungiert in der modernen Leistungsgesellschaft als Ventil für gestauten Stress.
In modern achievement-oriented society, vacation functions as a valve for pent-up stress.
Metaphorical verb 'fungieren als'.
Die soziokulturelle Bedeutung des Urlaubs hat sich seit dem 19. Jahrhundert drastisch gewandelt.
The socio-cultural significance of vacation has changed drastically since the 19th century.
Adjective 'soziokulturell'.
Eine Entfremdung vom Alltag ist das primäre Ziel jeglicher Urlaubsbestrebungen.
Alienation from everyday life is the primary goal of any vacation endeavors.
Noun 'Entfremdung'.
Die ökologischen Implikationen des globalen Urlaubsverkehrs sind besorgniserregend.
The ecological implications of global vacation travel are worrying.
Abstract noun 'Implikationen'.
Urlaub ist nicht bloß Abwesenheit von Arbeit, sondern eine Form der Selbstverwirklichung.
Vacation is not merely absence from work, but a form of self-realization.
Correlative conjunction 'nicht bloß... sondern'.
Die Dialektik von Arbeit und Urlaub prägt unser zeitgenössisches Zeitverständnis.
The dialectic of work and vacation shapes our contemporary understanding of time.
Philosophical term 'Dialektik'.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Schönen Urlaub!
Urlaub auf Balkonien
reif für den Urlaub sein
Urlaub vom Alltag
den Urlaub antreten
Urlaub genehmigen
Urlaub stornieren
Urlaubsgeld bekommen
Urlaubsvertretung machen
Urlaubskasse plündern
Souvent confondu avec
Expressions idiomatiques
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Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Comment l'utiliser
'Beurlaubung' is often used for official leave (e.g., from the military or civil service).
In some parts of Switzerland, 'Ferien' is used more broadly even for work leave, but 'Urlaub' is universally understood.
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In standard German, 'in den Urlaub' is the correct prepositional phrase for direction.
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Ferien is only for schools and institutions. Work leave is always Urlaub.
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Urlaub is masculine accusative here, so the adjective needs the -en ending.
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If it's a public holiday for everyone, it's a Feiertag, not Urlaub.
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While 'in Urlaub' is sometimes heard, 'im Urlaub' (in dem) is the standard and more correct form.
Astuces
Preposition Choice
Use 'im' (in + dem) for location and 'in den' (in + den) for direction. This is a classic Wechselpräposition rule.
Compound Power
German loves compounds. Add your destination to 'Urlaub' (e.g., Strandurlaub, Skiurlaub) to sound more natural.
Planning Ahead
In Germany, people often book their 'Sommerurlaub' in January or February. Early booking is very common.
Out of Office
Always set an 'Abwesenheitsnotiz' when you go on Urlaub. It's expected in German business culture.
Small Talk
Asking 'Hattest du einen schönen Urlaub?' is a perfect way to restart a conversation after someone returns.
Know Your Rights
If you get sick during your Urlaub, you can get those days back if you have a doctor's note (Krankschreibung).
Balkonien
Use 'Urlaub auf Balkonien' if you want to be funny about staying home. It's a very popular expression.
The Final B
Remember the 'b' at the end of 'Urlaub' sounds like a 'p'. Practice saying 'Ur-laup'.
Genitive Case
In formal writing, use 'während des Urlaubs'. It shows a high level of German proficiency.
Urlaub vs. Ferien
Never tell your boss you want 'Ferien'. It sounds like you're a schoolchild. Always use 'Urlaub'.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
UR-LAUB: Think of 'Your Leave'. UR sounds like 'Your' and LAUB sounds like 'Leave'. It's YOUR LEAVE from work!
Origine du mot
Middle High German 'urloup', Old High German 'urloub'
Contexte culturel
The 'Bundesurlaubsgesetz' guarantees a minimum amount of paid leave.
Germans take their 'Abwesenheitsnotiz' (out-of-office reply) seriously; they usually don't check emails.
It is polite to wish colleagues a 'Schönen Urlaub' before they leave.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"Wo hast du deinen letzten Urlaub verbracht?"
"Planst du schon deinen Sommerurlaub?"
"Was ist dein Traumurlaub?"
"Bist du eher der Typ für Strandurlaub oder Wanderurlaub?"
"Warst du schon mal im Winter im Urlaub?"
Sujets d'écriture
Beschreibe deinen schönsten Urlaub.
Warum ist Urlaub wichtig für die Gesundheit?
Wohin würdest du fahren, wenn Geld keine Rolle spielen würde?
Was nimmst du immer in den Urlaub mit?
Urlaub zu Hause oder in der Ferne? Was ist besser?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUrlaub is for employees taking individual time off. Ferien refers to fixed breaks for schools, universities, or institutions. An adult worker takes Urlaub; a student has Ferien.
It is common in some dialects (like Austrian German), but in standard High German, 'im Urlaub' is the correct form for being on vacation.
Usually, yes. In Germany, 'bezahlter Urlaub' is a legal right. However, one can also take 'unbezahlter Urlaub' (unpaid leave) if the employer agrees.
The most common way is to say 'Schönen Urlaub!' or 'Einen schönen Urlaub!'.
It is a humorous way of saying you are spending your vacation at home, specifically on your balcony, instead of traveling.
It is masculine: der Urlaub.
It is a legal right in many German states to take paid time off (usually 5 days a year) for professional or political education.
You say 'Ich fahre in den Urlaub' or 'Ich gehe in den Urlaub'.
It is an optional bonus payment from an employer to help cover vacation costs, separate from the normal salary.
Yes, you can say 'Ich nehme mir heute einen Tag Urlaub.' However, if it's just a regular day off without using your vacation quota, you'd say 'Ich habe heute frei.'
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Summary
Der Urlaub is a masculine noun specifically meaning 'work leave'. Use 'im' for location and 'in den' for direction. Remember that students have 'Ferien', not 'Urlaub'. It is a central part of German work culture and identity.
- Urlaub is masculine (der) and refers to individual time off from work for employees.
- It differs from 'Ferien', which is for schools, and 'Feiertage', which are public holidays.
- Commonly used with 'im Urlaub sein' (to be on vacation) and 'in den Urlaub fahren' (to go on vacation).
- Germany has strong legal protections for vacation time, typically 25-30 days per year.
Preposition Choice
Use 'im' (in + dem) for location and 'in den' (in + den) for direction. This is a classic Wechselpräposition rule.
Compound Power
German loves compounds. Add your destination to 'Urlaub' (e.g., Strandurlaub, Skiurlaub) to sound more natural.
Planning Ahead
In Germany, people often book their 'Sommerurlaub' in January or February. Early booking is very common.
Out of Office
Always set an 'Abwesenheitsnotiz' when you go on Urlaub. It's expected in German business culture.
Exemple
Ich mache dieses Jahr Urlaub in Italien.
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