Meaning
break, pause
- break
- pause
- interval
In a sentence
Facciamo una pausa prima di continuare a studiare.
Let's take a break before continuing to study.
Hai bisogno di una pausa dopo il lavoro?
Do you need a break after work?
Oggi non ho fatto una pausa e sono molto stanco.
Today I didn't take a break and I'm very tired.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| pausa | feminine · singular |
| pause | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use fare una pausa for taking a break. Prendere una pausa is understandable but less idiomatic in standard Italian.
- Intervallo is mainly for school or scheduled breaks; pausa is broader and works for work, speech, music, and daily life.
- For a coffee or cigarette break, Italians often say pausa caffè or pausa sigaretta, not just caffè or sigaretta alone.