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ferragosto

Ferragosto (mid-August holiday)

noun fehr-rah-GOH-stoh Rare
Arts & Culture Festivals

Origin: From Latin Feriae Augusti (festivals of Augustus), the Roman harvest festival.

Usage Note

Ferragosto refers specifically to August 15 — Italy's national public holiday combining the religious feast of the Assumption (Assunzione) with the ancient Roman harvest festival. By extension it describes the entire August holiday period when much of Italy shuts down. Shops may post chiuso per Ferragosto ('closed for August holiday').

Examples

"Ad agosto andiamo al mare per Ferragosto."

Natural Translation

In August we go to the sea for Ferragosto.

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