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How to Say "time off" in Spanish

English → Spanish

vacaciones

bah-kah-SYOH-nesba.kaˈsjo.nes

nounA1general
Use 'vacaciones' when referring to a period of extended leave, especially for travel or a general break, often plural and referring to a specific holiday period like summer or Christmas.
A bright yellow beach umbrella stuck in white sand, with the gentle blue ocean visible in the background under a sunny sky.

Examples

¿Cuándo empiezan tus vacaciones de verano?

When does your summer vacation start?

Estamos de vacaciones en la playa.

We are on holiday/vacation at the beach.

Necesito urgentemente tomarme unas largas vacaciones.

I urgently need to take a long vacation.

Always Plural

In Spanish, 'vacaciones' is always used in the plural form, even if you are referring to a single trip or period of time off. You must use plural articles (las) and plural modifiers.

The Expression 'De vacaciones'

To say someone is 'on vacation,' use the preposition 'de' (Estamos de vacaciones, not en vacaciones).

Using the Singular

Mistake: “Me tomé una vacación.”

Correction: Me tomé unas vacaciones. (It is always treated as plural in Spanish.)

Incorrect Article

Mistake: “El vacaciones es mañana.”

Correction: Las vacaciones son mañana. ('Vacaciones' is feminine and plural, so use 'las' and the plural verb form 'son'.)

vacación

nounA1general
Use 'vacación' when referring to a single, specific instance or period of absence from work, often implying a shorter, planned break or a specific entitlement to time off.

Examples

Tengo una semana de vacación pendiente.

I have one week of vacation pending.

Plural vs. Singular

The most common mistake is not knowing when to use the plural 'vacaciones' versus the singular 'vacación'. Generally, 'vacaciones' is more common for extended breaks or holidays, while 'vacación' can refer to a specific, often shorter, period of leave.

Related Translations

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