Inklingo

How to Say "holidays" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fiestas

/fee-es-tas//ˈfjestas/

nounA2general
Use 'fiestas' when referring to public or religious festive periods, often involving celebrations and decorations, like Christmas or national holidays.
A street decorated with colorful festive flags and strings of glowing lights hanging overhead.

Examples

Durante las fiestas de Navidad, la ciudad está muy decorada.

During the Christmas holidays, the city is very decorated.

Las fiestas patronales duran una semana entera.

The local patron saint festivities last an entire week.

Muchos negocios cierran por las fiestas de fin de año.

Many businesses close for the year-end holidays.

Referring to Specific Holidays

When talking about Christmas or New Year's as a general season, Spanish often uses the plural noun: 'las fiestas' (the holidays/festivities).

vacas

/BAH-kas//ˈbakas/

nounB1informal
Use the informal 'vacas' as a casual abbreviation for 'vacaciones' (vacation/time off), typically referring to a period of personal rest or travel, like summer or Easter break.
A simple colorful illustration depicting a relaxing vacation scene, showing a single lounge chair placed on yellow sand next to a colorful striped beach umbrella, with the blue ocean visible in the background.

Examples

¡Ya quiero que lleguen las vacas de verano!

I really want summer vacation to arrive already!

¿Qué planes tienes para las vacas?

What plans do you have for the holidays?

The Short Form

This usage is a clipping of the full word 'vacaciones'. It is always used in the plural, just like the full word.

Formal Context

Mistake: “Estimados colegas, les informo que estaré de vacas.”

Correction: Estimados colegas, les informo que estaré de vacaciones. (Use the full word in professional or formal settings.)

Fiestas vs. Vacas

Learners often confuse 'fiestas' and 'vacas' because both can relate to time off. Remember that 'fiestas' refers to public or religious celebrations, while 'vacas' is informal slang for personal vacation time.

Related Translations

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