Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'holiday' depends on whether you mean a public holiday, a day off work/school, or a vacation trip. The most common word is 休み (yasumi), which broadly means 'rest' or 'time off'.
A day designated by law as a holiday, like New Year's Day or a national celebration.
The standard term for a public or national holiday. Used in formal contexts and on calendars.
今日は祝日です。
Today is a public holiday.
次の祝日は何ですか。
What is the next public holiday?
Refers specifically to festival days or traditional holidays, often associated with Shinto or Buddhist events. Sometimes used interchangeably with 祝日, but less common in modern legal contexts.
この神社の祭日は毎年7月です。
This shrine's festival day is in July every year.
A non-working day, a day of rest, or a break period.
The most common and versatile word for a day off, break, or rest. Can refer to a single day off, a vacation period, or a school break.
明日は休みです。
Tomorrow is a day off.
夏休みはいつからですか。
When does summer vacation start?
A day off, often used in formal or written contexts. Can refer to a regular day off or a holiday, but less common in casual speech than 休み.
Refers to a leave of absence or vacation, often from work. Used for paid leave, maternity leave, etc.
A period of travel or leisure away from home.
Used for a vacation trip, especially when taking time off work. Often combined with destinations (e.g., ハワイで休暇).
来月、休暇でハワイに行きます。
Next month, I'm going to Hawaii on vacation.
Means 'travel' or 'trip'. Not exactly 'holiday', but often used when talking about going on a holiday trip.
Loanword from French 'vacances', implying a leisurely, often luxurious vacation. Used in travel magazines or trendy contexts.
A specific holiday period or seasonal break.
A consecutive holiday period, like a long weekend or Golden Week. Very common in conversation.
今週末は三連休です。
This weekend is a three-day weekend.
The loanword ホリデー (horidē) exists but is mainly used in commercial names (e.g., ホリデーシーズン) and sounds unnatural in daily conversation. Stick to native Japanese words.
休み is the most general and casual. 休日 is more formal and often written. 休暇 specifically implies a longer leave or vacation, often from work.
休みにどこか行きますか。
Are you going anywhere for the holidays?
Natural Japanese uses 休み, not a direct translation of 'holidays'.
明日は休みです。
I have a day off tomorrow.
休日は家族と過ごします。
I spend my days off with my family.
I will take paid leave.
I'm going on a trip during summer vacation.
今年のバカンスは南フランスです。
This year's vacation is in the South of France.
A major holiday period like Golden Week, Obon, or New Year's. Used in news and formal contexts.
大型連休中は交通が混雑します。
Traffic is congested during major holiday periods.