pausa para el café
/pausa paɾa el kafe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "coffee break" is translated into Spanish as pausa para el café.
A coffee break refers to a rest period during the business day that provides the opportunity to drink coffee. You can also naturally use the phrase un descanso para el café to express a break or rest period.
Meaning: a rest period during the business day providing the opportunity to drink coffee (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pausa para el café is composed of pausa (pause/break), para (for), el (the) and café (coffee).
Which one should you use?
While pausa para el café is a common way to name this period, un descanso para el café is another natural alternative.
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, people often use the diminutive el cafecito when suggesting a coffee break to make the invitation sound more friendly or casual.
Did you know?
- The word café entered Spanish via French or Italian, but its deepest roots are in the Arabic word qahwa.
- In many Spanish-speaking workplaces, a pausa para el café is not just about caffeine but serves as a vital social ritual for networking and bonding.
- Depending on the region, a person might suggest a cafecito even if they are actually going to drink tea or water.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué te parece hacer una pausa para el café?What do you say to having a coffee break?This sentence is useful for practicing how to suggest having a pausa para el café.Tatoeba #12974764 by Alejandr0, translation #40082 by CK
- ¿Vamos a hacer un descanso para tomar un café?Shall we take a break for a coffee?
- ¡Es hora del cafecito! ¿Quién se apunta?It's coffee time! Who's in?
- La pausa para el café es a las diez.The coffee break is at ten.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in the office.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿ya tuvimos la pausa para el café?Alejandro, did we already have the coffee break?
- AlejandroNo, todavía no hemos parado.No, we haven't stopped yet.
- LucíaVamos a tomar la pausa para el café ahora.Let's take the coffee break now.
- AlejandroMe parece perfecto, Lucía.That sounds perfect, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries café, el, para, pausa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
