summer vacation
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summer vacation
A vacation that is usually taken during the summer months, often involving travel to warmer regions or relaxation in nature.
Dieses Jahr fahren wir im Sommerurlaub nach Italien ans Meer.
This year we're going to Italy by the sea for our summer vacation.
'Sommerurlaub' (summer vacation) is a compound noun made from 'der Sommer' (summer) and 'der Urlaub' (vacation). As with most German compounds, the last word ('der Urlaub') determines the article of the entire word.
Der Sommerurlaub ist für viele die schönste Zeit des Jahres.
For many people, summer vacation is the best time of the year.
The combination of a time expression with '-urlaub' (-vacation) is very productive in German. Words like 'Winterurlaub' (winter vacation), 'Osterurlaub' (Easter vacation), or 'Skiurlaub' (ski vacation) are formed according to the same pattern.
Planst du dieses Jahr einen Winterurlaub in den Bergen?
Are you planning a winter vacation in the mountains this year?
To express movement or a destination, you use 'in den Sommerurlaub' (on summer vacation) with the accusative. To describe a state or period of time, you use 'im Sommerurlaub' (during summer vacation) with the dative.
Nächste Woche fliegen wir in den Sommerurlaub.
Next week we're flying off on summer vacation.
In connection with preparation, the verbs 'planen' (to plan) and 'buchen' (to book) are often used. When talking about the time itself, 'verbringen' (to spend) or 'genießen' (to enjoy) are typical.
Wir haben unseren Sommerurlaub schon im Januar gebucht.
We booked our summer vacation back in January.
vacation / leave
Urlaub generally refers to personal time off for relaxation or travel. Sommerurlaub is more specific and refers to a vacation during the summer months. If the time off is not in summer or the season is unimportant, Urlaub is the better choice.
Nina verbringt ihren Sommerurlaub dieses Jahr im Juli am Meer.
Nina is spending her summer vacation by the sea this year in July.
Nina verbringt ihren Urlaub dieses Jahr im Oktober am Meer.
Nina is spending her vacation by the sea this year in October.
