Kaffeepause
/ˈkafeˌpaʊ̯zə/feminine
The English phrase "coffee break" is translated into German as Kaffeepause.
Kaffeepause refers to a rest period during the business day providing the opportunity to drink coffee. To express the action of taking a coffee break, use the phrase eine Kaffeepause machen.
Meaning: a rest period during the business day providing the opportunity to drink coffee (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Kaffeepause is a compound noun consisting of Kaffee (coffee) and Pause (break or pause).
How does it change in a sentence?
Kaffeepause is a feminine noun, meaning it uses the definite article die (e.g., die Kaffeepause). The plural form of the word is Kaffeepausen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkafeˌpaʊ̯zə/
When do people say it?
The term Kaffeerunde is used to describe a group of people gathering for a coffee break or sharing a pot of coffee.
Did you know?
- The term Kaffeefahrt refers to a specific type of organized day trip for seniors that includes a coffee break and shopping, quite different from a standard business Kaffeepause.
- Historically, the term Kaffeeklatsch refers to a social coffee break specifically associated with women gathering to gossip.
- The German language allows for the creation of 'infinite' compound nouns, meaning a coffee break for a specific group could be expanded into words like Betriebsrat-Kaffeepause (works council coffee break).
Examples in context
- Machen wir eine Kaffeepause!Let's take a coffee break.This sentence is useful for suggesting that you take a coffee break.Tatoeba #10060829 by wolfgangth, translation #349811 by human600
- Ich glaube, wir brauchen eine Kaffeepause.I think we need a coffee break.This sentence is useful for expressing a need for a coffee break.Tatoeba #13641623 by Waldelfe, translation #6954743 by CK
- Eine schöne Kaffeepause!Enjoy your coffee break!This sentence is useful for wishing someone an enjoyable coffee break.Tatoeba #12116296 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11886463 by Amastan
- Könnten wir bitte eine kurze Kaffeepause machen?Could we please have a short coffee break?
- Lass uns eine kurze Pause für eine Kaffeestärkung machen.Let's take a short break for a coffee refreshment.
- Es ist Zeit für unsere tägliche Kaffeerunde.It's time for our daily coffee break.
- Wir sollten eine Kaffeepause machen.We should have a coffee break.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix are working in an office.
- SarahWann haben wir heute unsere erste Kaffeepause?When do we have our first coffee break today?
- FelixIch denke, wir machen sie um zehn Uhr.I think we'll take it at ten o'clock.
- SarahSuper, ich freue mich schon auf die Kaffeepause.Great, I'm already looking forward to the coffee break.
- FelixIch auch, Felix braucht dringend etwas Koffein.Me too, Felix urgently needs some caffeine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coffee break” translations and entries Kaffeepause, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
