hora de descanso
/oɾa de deskanso/from spelling rules
The English phrase "break time" is translated into Spanish as hora de descanso.
The phrase refers to a short period during a workday or school day when people stop working to rest or eat. You may also use tiempo de descanso to mean "rest time" or "time for a break."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase hora de descanso literally translates to "hour of rest."
Which one should you use?
The most common formal term for break time in Spanish is receso.
Did you know?
- The word descanso refers not only to a period of time but also to a physical architectural feature, like the landing between two flights of stairs.
- While hora de descanso sounds quite formal, in many Spanish-speaking workplaces, colleagues simply call it el recreo, a word typically reserved for children at school.
- In Spain, the mid-morning break is often called el almuerzo, but in some Latin American countries, almuerzo refers to the main midday meal.
Examples in context
- Por favor, ¿a qué hora es el receso?Please, what time is the break?
- Necesitamos tomar un descanso de 15 minutos.We need to take a 15-minute break.
- ¡Vamos a hacer un descansito antes de continuar!Let's take a little break before continuing!
- Después de tanta actividad, necesito un rato libre.After so much activity, I need some free time.
- Voy a tomar mi merienda y luego seguimos trabajando.I'm going to have my snack, and then we'll continue working.
- ¿Ya es tiempo de descanso?Is it break time already?
- Es casi la hora de descanso.It is almost break time.
- Disfruta de tu hora de descanso.Enjoy your break time.
Example conversation
Two colleagues talking in an office during the morning.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿tienes hambre?Alejandro, are you hungry?
- AlejandroSí, ya quiero que llegue la hora de descanso.Yes, I want break time to arrive already.
- ElenaYo también, tengo mucha hambre.Me too, I am very hungry.
- AlejandroNos vemos en diez minutos.See you in ten minutes.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
