die Kaffeepause
coffee break
A short break during which people drink coffee and usually relax a little or chat.
EXAMPLE
Um zehn Uhr machen wir im Büro eine Kaffeepause.
At ten o'clock, we take a coffee break at the office.
die Kaffeepause
coffee break
die Kaffeepause, die Kaffeepausen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kaffeepause, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kaffeepausen |
| genitive | der Kaffeepause |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Kaffeepause | die Kaffeepausen |
| accusative | die Kaffeepause | die Kaffeepausen |
| dative | der Kaffeepause | den Kaffeepausen |
| genitive | der Kaffeepause | der Kaffeepausen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound nouns
'Kaffeepause' (coffee break) consists of 'Kaffee' (coffee) and 'Pause' (break). The two words are joined directly; the two 'e's at the end of 'Kaffee' are retained.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Gespräch brauchen wir eine Kaffeepause.
After the long conversation, we need a coffee break.
Typical collocations
Typical expressions include 'eine Kaffeepause machen' (to take a coffee break), 'eine Kaffeepause einlegen' (to take a coffee break), and 'sich eine Kaffeepause gönnen' (to treat oneself to a coffee break). 'Sich gönnen' emphasizes that you are consciously allowing yourself the break as something enjoyable.
EXAMPLE
Nach zwei Stunden Gartenarbeit gönnen wir uns eine Kaffeepause.
After two hours of gardening, we treat ourselves to a coffee break.
Prepositions in everyday use
Use 'in der Kaffeepause' (during the coffee break) to say when something happens. The expression 'sich zur Kaffeepause treffen' (to meet for a coffee break) is used when people arrange to take a break together.
EXAMPLE
Ich erzähle dir in der Kaffeepause von meiner Reise.
I'll tell you about my trip during the coffee break.
Wir treffen uns um halb elf zur Kaffeepause im Innenhof.
We'll meet in the courtyard at half past ten for a coffee break.
In real life
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