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German Phrase

Ich würde gern Urlaub nehmen.

/ɪç ˈvʏʁdə ɡeːɐ̯ ˈʔuʁlaʊ̯f ˈneːmən/
Meaning"I would like to take a vacation."
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Meaning

Literally, “I would like to take vacation.” It is a polite way to express a desire to go on holiday or to request time off from work. The conditional ‘würde’ makes the statement less direct and more courteous.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you are asking your boss, a colleague, or a friend about the possibility of taking time off. It works both in formal written requests and in informal spoken conversation, as long as you want to sound polite.

✦Grammar Breakdown

IchwürdegernUrlaubnehmen

1

würde (Conditional)

‘würde’ is the conditional form of ‘werden’ and is used to make polite or hypothetical statements, similar to ‘would’ in English.

2

gern (Like/Prefer)

‘gern’ (or ‘gerne’) expresses that you would like to do something; it softens the request and adds a friendly tone.

3

Urlaub nehmen

The verb ‘nehmen’ collocates with ‘Urlaub’ to mean ‘to take a vacation’; you do not add ‘zu’ before the infinitive.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ich würde gern Urlaub nehmen.

I would like to take a vacation.

Klar, wann hast du denn vor zu gehen?

Sure, when were you thinking of going?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich würde gern Urlaub zu nehmen.

    Do not insert ‘zu’ before the infinitive; ‘Urlaub nehmen’ is a fixed phrase.

  • Ich will gern Urlaub nehmen.

    ‘will’ sounds too strong and less polite in a request; use ‘würde gern’ or ‘möchte gern’.

  • Ich würde gern Urlaub machen.

    While understandable, ‘Urlaub machen’ is more informal and less appropriate for a formal request.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich möchte gern Urlaub machen.

    I would like to have a vacation.

  • Ich plane, Urlaub zu nehmen.

    I am planning to take vacation.

  • Ich will Urlaub nehmen.

    I want to take vacation.

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Cultural Tip

In German workplaces it is customary to submit vacation requests in writing, stating the exact dates you intend to be absent. Using ‘würde gern’ shows respect for the employer’s planning needs. Also, note that ‘Urlaub nehmen’ is the standard collocation; saying ‘Urlaub machen’ is more colloquial and often used when talking about personal plans rather than a formal request.