Published December 13, 2023 • Updated August 9, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Vacances Meaning
Vacances is a French feminine plural noun meaning “vacation” or “holidays.” It is almost always used in the plural: les vacances. Common expressions include partir en vacances or aller en vacances (to go on vacation), être en vacances (to be on vacation), and passer les vacances (to spend the holidays/vacation). For example, “On part en vacances en Espagne cet été” (We’re going on vacation to Spain this summer).
Vacances Pronunciation
The IPA pronunciation of vacances is /va.kɑ̃s/, which sounds approximately like “vah-kahns.”
Vacances Example Sentences
Aller en vacances, partir en vacances
to go on vacation
On part en vacances en Espagne cet été.
We are going on vacation to Spain this summer.
Où est-ce que tu préfères passer les vacances, au bord de la mer ou en montagne ?
Where do you prefer to spend your vacation, at the sea shore or in the mountains?
Bonnes vacances ! Profitez de votre séjour !
Have a good vacation! Enjoy your stay!
Sylvie va visiter le sud de la France pendant les grandes vacances.
Sylvie is going to visit the south of France during summer vacation.
Les vacances scolaires en France sont toujours en février.
School vacation in France is always in February.
👉 See also: Séjour (stay) »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- partir en vacances — to go on vacation
- aller en vacances — to go on vacation
- passer les vacances — to spend the vacation/holidays
- les grandes vacances — summer vacation / summer holidays
- les vacances scolaires — school holidays
- un séjour — a stay
- prendre des vacances — to take a vacation
📚 Related lessons
👉 Partir conjugation (to leave) »
👉 Aller conjugation (to go) »
👉 Aller conjugation (to go) »
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