Translation guide
In Japanese, 'summer vacation' is most commonly expressed as 夏休み (natsuyasumi), referring to the school summer break. For general summer holidays or time off work, other terms like 夏季休暇 (kaki kyuuka) or 夏期休暇 (kaki kyuuka) are used in formal contexts. The concept is deeply tied to the school calendar, and many cultural activities are associated with it.
The long summer holiday for students, typically from late July through August.
The standard, everyday term for the school summer vacation. Used by students, parents, and teachers alike.
夏休みはいつからですか？
When does summer vacation start?
夏休みに海に行った。
I went to the beach during summer vacation.
A summer break from work or a summer trip, not necessarily tied to school.
Also used for non-school summer breaks, though it strongly implies a school context. Acceptable for casual reference to a summer holiday from work.
今年の夏休みはどこに行く？
Where are you going for summer vacation this year?
Formal term for a summer break, often used in business contexts for company-wide summer holidays.
Variant of 夏季休暇, also formal. Slightly less common but interchangeable in many contexts.
Referring to the things one does during summer vacation, or the concept as a whole.
Common phrase meaning 'summer vacation memories'. Often used in school essays or conversations.
夏休みの思い出を絵に描きました。
I drew a picture of my summer vacation memories.
Summer vacation homework, a notorious part of Japanese school life.
夏休みの宿題がまだ終わっていない。
I haven't finished my summer vacation homework yet.
If you are taking a few days off in summer for a trip, it's more natural to say 夏の旅行 (natsu no ryokou, summer trip) or simply 休み (yasumi, break) rather than 夏休み, which implies a longer institutional break.
Many Japanese people take summer vacation around the Obon festival in mid-August. You may hear お盆休み (obon yasumi) to refer to this specific break.
当社の夏季休暇は8月10日から16日までです。
Our company's summer vacation is from August 10th to 16th.
夏期休暇のお知らせ
Notice of summer vacation