переме́на
pereménafeminine
The English phrase 'recess' (meaning a school break for a meal or recreation) is translated into Russian as переме́на (pereména).
переме́на is used to describe the time during the school day when students are away from their studies for a meal or recreation. In a different context, the related verb phrase делать углубление can mean to suspend the proceedings of an official body for a period of time.
Meaning: time away from studying during the school day for a meal or recreation (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
pereména
Did you know?
- The word переме́на literally means 'a change' or 'a transformation'.
- In Russian schools, переме́на is often a chaotic rush because students must navigate crowded hallways to reach their next subject-specific classroom within a strict time limit.
- If a Russian student says they are 'on' переме́на, they use the preposition на, which is the same preposition used to say someone is 'on' vacation.
Examples in context
- Давайте отдохнём немногоLet's take a little break.
- Переме́на скоро закончится.Pereména skoro zakonchitsya.The recess will end soon.
- У нас длинная переме́на.U nas dlinnaya pereména.We have a long recess.
Example conversation
Two students are talking in a classroom.
- Мария MariaАндрей, ты голоден?Andrey, ty goloden?Andrey, are you hungry?
- Андрей AndreyДа, я очень хочу есть.Da, ya ochen khochu yest.Yes, I am very hungry.
- Мария MariaСкоро будет переме́на.Skoro budet peremena.Recess will be soon.
- Андрей AndreyОтлично, пойдём в столовую.Otlichno, poydyom v stolovuyu.Great, let's go to the cafeteria.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “recess” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.