summer vacation
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summer vacation
The period of school vacation during the summer months. In German, this term is almost exclusively used in the plural form 'die Sommerferien' (summer vacation); the singular form is very uncommon.
Die kommende Sommerferie verbringen wir am Meer.
We are spending the upcoming summer vacation by the sea.
The word 'Sommerferien' (summer vacation) is almost exclusively used in the plural form, even when talking about a single vacation period. The singular form 'die Sommerferie' is very rare and sounds unnatural.
Wann beginnen bei euch die Sommerferien?
When does summer vacation start where you are?
The word is simply made up of 'Sommer' (summer) and 'Ferien' (vacation/holidays). It therefore refers to the longest school-free period of the year, which falls in the summer months.
Wir planen unseren Familienurlaub immer für die Sommerferien.
We always plan our family vacation for the summer vacation.
Common prepositions are 'in den Sommerferien' (during summer vacation, to describe a period), 'während der Sommerferien' (during the summer vacation, to emphasize duration), or 'auf die Sommerferien' (for summer vacation, in connection with 'sich freuen'—to look forward to).
In den Sommerferien fahre ich zu meinen Großeltern.
During summer vacation, I’m going to my grandparents’ house.
summer break
'die Sommerferie' and 'die Sommerpause' both refer to an interruption in summer. With 'Sommerferie', the important point is this: in German, you almost always say 'die Sommerferien' in the plural. This means the time when there is no school in summer. 'Sommerpause' is used more when a regular activity is interrupted in summer, for example in theater, sports, or politics. You can confuse the words because both take place in summer. For school, you say 'Sommerferien'; for clubs, broadcasts, or programs, you are more likely to say 'Sommerpause'.
In den Sommerferien fährt die Klasse nicht zur Schule, sondern viele Kinder reisen mit ihren Familien.
During summer vacation, the class does not go to school; instead, many children travel with their families.
Nach dem letzten Spiel beginnt für den Verein die Sommerpause.
After the last game, the club's summer break begins.