Italy is a popular tourist destination with millions of visitors flocking to the country every year. If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you may be wondering whether Italians say “holiday” or “vacation.” The answer is not as straightforward as you might think.
In Italian, the word for “holiday” is “vacanza.” So technically, Italians say “vacanza” instead of “holiday.” However, the English word “vacation” is also commonly used in Italy, especially in tourist areas.
So why do Italians use both words It could be due to the influence of English on Italian culture, as well as the fact that many Italians are bilingual and use both languages interchangeably.
Regardless of which word you use, it’s important to know that Italians take their vacations seriously. August is traditionally known as the month when most Italians take their annual vacation and escape to the seaside or mountains. Many shops and businesses close down during this time, so it’s important to plan accordingly if you’re traveling to Italy in August.
If you want to blend in with the locals and speak like an Italian on your holiday/vacation, here are some useful phrases:
– Buone vacanze! (Happy holidays/vacation!) – Dove vai per le vacanze
(Where are you going for your holiday/vacation) – Siamo in vacanza qui. (We’re on holiday/vacation here.)
In conclusion, both “holiday” and “vacation” are used in Italy, but “vacanza” is technically the correct Italian word for “holiday.” Regardless of which word you choose to use, make sure to take advantage of all that Italy has to offer during your time off!