tomar un respiro
/tomaɾ un ɾespiɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'take a breather' is translated into Spanish as tomar un respiro.
tomar un respiro is used when you want to stop an activity for a short moment to rest or to recover your breath.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tomar (to take) and the noun respiro (a breath or a breather).
Which one should you use?
While tomar un respiro focuses on catching one's breath or taking a momentary pause, tomar un descanso is a more common way to say 'to take a break' from work or a general activity.
How does it change in a sentence?
tomar un respiro is an infinitive construction. It can be conjugated to fit different subjects, such as tomo un respiro (I take a breather) or tomamos un respiro (we take a breather).
How do you pronounce it?
/tomaɾ un ɾespiɾo/
Did you know?
- The noun respiro can also refer to a 'breathing space' in a literal architectural or urban planning sense, such as a small park in a crowded city.
- In certain contexts, saying dar un respiro instead of tomar un respiro shifts the meaning to giving someone else a break or showing mercy.
- The word respiro can also be used metaphorically in Spanish to mean a 'relief' or a 'lifeline' in a difficult situation. For example, a sudden windfall of money might be described as a respiro during a financial crisis.
Examples in context
- Me voy a tomar un descanso para recargar energíasI am going to take a breather to recharge
- El equipo necesita tener un momento de descansoThe team needs to take a breather
- Después de la reunión, es importante relajarse un pocoAfter the meeting, it's important to take a breather
- Después de tanto estudio, me voy a tomar un descansitoAfter so much studying, I am going to take a breather
- Vamos a hacer una pausa, estoy agotadoLet's take a breather, I am exhausted
- Deberías tomarte un descanso y relajarte un poco.You should take a breather and relax a bit.
- Vamos a tomar un respiro antes de seguir con la reunión.Let's take a breather before continuing with the meeting.
- Necesito tomar un respiro antes de seguir trabajando.I need to take a breather before continuing to work.
- Vamos a tomar un respiro después de la caminata.Let's take a breather after the hike.
- Es bueno tomar un respiro de vez en cuando.It is good to take a breather every now and then.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are cleaning the house together.
- JavierEstoy muy cansado de limpiar tanto.I am very tired of cleaning so much.
- SofíaTienes razón, vamos a tomar un respiro.You're right, let's take a breather.
- Javier¿Quieres sentarte un momento conmigo?Do you want to sit down with me for a moment?
- SofíaSí, me vendría muy bien descansar.Yes, a rest would be very good for me.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
