lunch break
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lunch break
A break from work or class around midday, typically used for eating.
Ich gehe jetzt in die Mittagspause, wir sehen uns in einer Stunde wieder.
I'm going on my lunch break now; we'll see each other again in an hour.
The word is made up of 'Mittag' (midday/noon) and 'Pause' (break). The 's' in between is a linking -s that connects the two words. Literally, it is simply a break around midday.
Die meisten Angestellten haben eine einstündige Mittagspause.
Most employees have a one-hour lunch break.
To express movement, you use 'in die Mittagspause gehen' (to go on one's lunch break, accusative). To describe a state or an action during the break, you use 'in der Mittagspause' (during the lunch break, dative).
Wir gehen um 12 Uhr in die Mittagspause.
We go on our lunch break at 12 o'clock.
Common verbs used with 'Mittagspause' (lunch break) are 'eine Mittagspause machen' (to take a lunch break), 'Mittagspause haben' (to have a lunch break), or 'sich in der Mittagspause befinden' (to be on one's lunch break).
Lass uns um eins eine kurze Mittagspause machen.
Let's take a short lunch break at one.
break / pause
'die Pause' and 'die Mittagspause' both describe an interruption of an activity. 'Pause' is general and can happen at any time of day: in the morning, in the afternoon, or during work. 'Mittagspause' is more specific. It takes place around midday and is often used for eating. You can confuse the words when you are simply talking about a break at work. If the time and lunch at midday are important, 'Mittagspause' fits better. Otherwise, 'Pause' is enough.
In der Mittagspause esse ich oft mit meinen Kollegen in der Kantine.
During my lunch break, I often eat with my colleagues in the cafeteria.
Vor der nächsten Aufgabe machen die Kinder eine kurze Pause.
Before the next task, the children take a short break.