Meaning
To take time off from work or school for leisure.
Cultural Background
The 'Grandes Vacances' refer to the long summer break (July and August). Most of France slows down significantly during this time. In Quebec, the 'vacances de la construction' are two specific weeks in July when most of the province's construction workers take their mandatory leave.
Always Plural
If you are relaxing, it's 'des vacances'. If you say 'une vacance', people will look for a job opening.
Verb Choice
Never use 'faire' with 'vacances'. It's a common English/German speaker mistake.
Meaning
To take time off from work or school for leisure.
Always Plural
If you are relaxing, it's 'des vacances'. If you say 'une vacance', people will look for a job opening.
Verb Choice
Never use 'faire' with 'vacances'. It's a common English/German speaker mistake.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
Je veux ____ des vacances en Italie.
The standard collocation is 'prendre des vacances'.
Fill in the missing article.
Nous prenons ____ vacances en juillet.
Vacances is plural and requires the plural partitive article 'des'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu es fatigué ? B: Oui, je vais ____.
Taking a vacation is the logical response to being tired.
Match the French to the English.
Match the phrases.
These are the three main states of holidaying.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Vacations
Summer
- • La plage
- • Le soleil
- • Août
Winter
- • Le ski
- • La montagne
- • Noël
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJe veux ____ des vacances en Italie.
The standard collocation is 'prendre des vacances'.
Nous prenons ____ vacances en juillet.
Vacances is plural and requires the plural partitive article 'des'.
A: Tu es fatigué ? B: Oui, je vais ____.
Taking a vacation is the logical response to being tired.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the three main states of holidaying.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsYes, this is very common to specify the length of time.
'Vacances' is general and social. 'Congés' is the professional/legal term for paid time off.
Related Phrases
Partir en vacances
similarTo go away on holiday
Prendre un jour de congé
specialized formTo take a day off
Passer des vacances
builds onTo spend a vacation
