Why is "soit des vacances soit du travail" wrong as a translation of "either holiday or work"?

Jose R.C1Kwiziq community member

Why is "soit des vacances soit du travail" wrong as a translation of "either holiday or work"?

Asked 7 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer
The correct answer is "soit les vacances soit le travail". Here you are talking about vacation and work in general terms: either vacation (in general) or work (in general). "Des vacances" uses the partitive "de" and refers to (some vacations). Similarly for "du travail".

-- Chris. (not a native speaker)
Ron T.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour Jose, Was there a question involved with your post? I do not find that type of question in the lesson.
John B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
The question is when do you use, for example, des vacances instead of les vacances, or du travail instead of le travail.   In one of the examples we had du fromage but un dessert. 
Serian E.A2Kwiziq community member

I also put 'des vacances' here. I don't really see why it couldn't be 'some holidays' - i.e. Either you take some holiday, or you work  

John B.C1Kwiziq community member

Don't understand the distinction.

Why is "soit des vacances soit du travail" wrong as a translation of "either holiday or work"?

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