die Atempause
breather
A short break during which you recover from physical exertion and catch your breath.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem steilen Aufstieg brauchte sie eine kurze Atempause.
After the steep climb, she needed a short breather.
die Atempause
breather
die Atempause, die Atempausen
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Meanings
die Atempause
respite
A short interruption or period of rest during a demanding or eventful process.
EXAMPLE
Nach den schwierigen Verhandlungen gab es eine kurze Atempause.
After the difficult negotiations, there was a brief respite.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Atempause, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Atempausen |
| genitive | der Atempause |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Atempause | die Atempausen |
| accusative | die Atempause | die Atempausen |
| dative | der Atempause | den Atempausen |
| genitive | der Atempause | der Atempausen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Atempause' is made up of 'Atem' (breath) and 'Pause' (break). The word therefore literally refers to a break to catch one's breath, and it can also describe a period of respite in a process.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem nächsten Anstieg gönnten sich die Wanderer eine Atempause.
Before the next climb, the hikers took a breather.
Typical collocations
When referring to physical exertion, 'Atempause' frequently occurs with verbs such as 'brauchen' (to need), 'machen' (to take), or 'einlegen' (to take). The break is often described with an adjective, such as 'kurz' (short) or 'wohlverdient' (well-deserved).
EXAMPLE
Die Läufer machten am Brunnen eine wohlverdiente Atempause.
The runners took a well-deserved breather at the fountain.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative meaning, words from the context of work, politics, conflicts, or events show that 'Atempause' refers to a temporary period of calm. Typical collocations include 'eine Atempause nach Verhandlungen' (a respite after negotiations) or 'eine Atempause im Konflikt' (a respite in the conflict).
EXAMPLE
Nach mehreren hektischen Tagen verschaffte die Feiertagspause dem Team eine dringend benötigte Atempause.
After several hectic days, the holiday break gave the team a much-needed respite.
In real life
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