holiday / feast day
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holiday / feast day
A day on which people do not work but celebrate because of a special religious, national, or public occasion; a public holiday.
Der erste Mai ist in Deutschland ein gesetzlicher Festtag.
May 1st is a public holiday in Germany.
special day
In a figurative sense, a day of great joy or special significance for a person or a group.
Der Tag, an dem sie ihre Prüfung bestand, war ein wahrer Festtag für die ganze Familie.
The day she passed her exam was a real special day for the whole family.
The word is simply composed of 'das Fest' (celebration/festival) and 'der Tag' (day). So it literally describes a day on which people celebrate.
Weihnachten ist für viele Menschen der wichtigste Festtag des Jahres.
Christmas is the most important holiday of the year for many people.
In the plural, 'die Festtage' (the holidays), the word is often used as a fixed expression for the holidays at the end of the year (Christmas and New Year). People then wish each other 'schöne Festtage' (happy holidays).
Wir wünschen Ihnen und Ihrer Familie frohe Festtage!
We wish you and your family happy holidays!
A distinction is often made between a 'gesetzlicher Festtag' (public holiday), on which most people have the day off, and a 'kirchlicher Festtag' (church feast day), which has a religious background.
Der 3. Oktober ist ein gesetzlicher Festtag in Deutschland.
October 3rd is a public holiday in Germany.
You can often recognize the figurative meaning from intensifying words like 'wahr' (true/real) or 'rein' (pure). It then describes a moment of great personal joy.
Die Veröffentlichung seines ersten Buches war ein wahrer Festtag für den Autor.
The publication of his first book was a real special day for the author.
holiday
Both words can refer to a special religious, national, or public day on which people celebrate. „Feiertag“ emphasizes the officially recognized day off work, while „Festtag“ places more emphasis on the festive significance. When not working is important, „Feiertag“ is appropriate; for the festive occasion, „Festtag“ is also possible.
Zum religiösen Festtag schmückte die Familie gemeinsam den Saal.
For the religious feast day, the family decorated the hall together.
Am gesetzlichen Feiertag bleiben die meisten Geschäfte geschlossen.
Most stores remain closed on the public holiday.
