faire une pause
To take a break in French is faire une pause.
The phrase is used to describe having a short rest period during work or an activity. In professional settings, it is very common to specify the type of break, such as faire une pause café to mean taking a coffee break.
Meaning: to have a short rest period in one's work (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb faire (to do/make) and the noun une pause (a pause/break).
Which one should you use?
While faire une pause refers to a specific, often scheduled interval of time away from a task, the verb se reposer is used more generally to mean to rest or to recover one's strength.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some urban French communities, the phrase faire un break is used to mean take a break.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express taking multiple breaks, change the indefinite article une to the plural des, resulting in faire des pauses.
Did you know?
- While faire une pause is a temporary stop, French has a specific concept called le quart d'heure de politesse for a short, socially acceptable delay.
- The noun pause originally entered the French language in the 14th century specifically to describe a rhythmic pause in music rather than a rest from work.
- In France, faire une pause café is often a social ritual used for networking and office politics, rather than just a caffeine break.
Examples in context
- Je veux faire une pause.I want to take a break.This sentence is useful for expressing your own desire to take a break using faire une pause.Tatoeba #7048784 by Micsmithel, translation #2361776 by CK
- Tu peux faire une pause.You can take a break.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is allowed to take a break using faire une pause.Tatoeba #7553073 by Aiji, translation #3342878 by CK
- Puis-je faire une pause ?Can I take a break?This sentence is useful for asking permission to take a break using faire une pause.Tatoeba #3745203 by sacredceltic, translation #3719600 by Hybrid
- Je vais prendre une pause de 15 minutes.I am going to take a 15-minute break.
- Puis-je faire une pause de quelques instants ?Can I take a short break?
- On devrait faire une petite pause avant de continuer.We should take a little break before continuing.
- Je vais faire une pause café, tu m'accompagnes ?I'm going to take a coffee break, would you like to join me?
- Je vais faire un break de 10 minutes avant de reprendre.I'm going to take a 10-minute break before resuming.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are working in an office during the afternoon.
- GabrielOn devrait faire une pause maintenant.We should take a break now.
- EmmaC'est une bonne idée, Gabriel.That is a good idea, Gabriel.
- GabrielTu veux prendre un café ?Do you want to grab a coffee?
- EmmaOui, avec plaisir.Yes, with pleasure.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faire, pause, une, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
