Inklingo

How to Say "vacation" in Spanish

English → Spanish

vacaciones

/bah-kah-SYOH-nes//ba.kaˈsjo.nes/

nounA1standard
Use 'vacaciones' for any standard or formal mention of a period of time away from work or school.
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'.)

vacas

/BAH-kas//ˈbakas/

nounB1informal
Use 'vacas' as a casual, shortened way to refer to vacation time, often used among friends or in informal settings.
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.)

Using 'vacas' in formal situations

The most common mistake is using the informal 'vacas' in situations where the standard term 'vacaciones' is expected. While 'vacas' is common among friends, it can sound too casual or even unprofessional in more formal contexts like official documents or speaking with superiors.

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