Signification
Wanting to rest.
Contexte culturel
The 'kaffepause' is a sacred institution in Danish workplaces. It's not just about caffeine; it's about social equality and 'hygge'. There is a high level of trust. If you say you need a break, people assume you actually need it and aren't just being lazy. Teachers often use 'brain breaks' (bevægelsespauser) where students stand up and move to stay focused. Saying 'Jeg har brug for en pause' in a relationship is often the first step toward a breakup, similar to 'We need to talk' in English.
The 'For' Rule
Always remember 'brug FOR'. If you forget 'for', the sentence feels incomplete to a Dane.
Don't be too aggressive
Saying 'Jeg SKAL have en pause' (I MUST have a break) can sound demanding. 'Jeg har brug for' is much softer.
Signification
Wanting to rest.
The 'For' Rule
Always remember 'brug FOR'. If you forget 'for', the sentence feels incomplete to a Dane.
Don't be too aggressive
Saying 'Jeg SKAL have en pause' (I MUST have a break) can sound demanding. 'Jeg har brug for' is much softer.
Add 'lige'
Adding 'lige' (just) makes it sound more natural: 'Jeg har LIGE brug for en pause'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing preposition.
Jeg har brug ___ en pause.
The phrase 'at have brug for' always uses the preposition 'for'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask for a break?
Du er træt på arbejdet. Hvad siger du?
'Jeg har brug for en pause' is the most polite and common way to express this.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi løbe fem kilometer mere? B: Nej, ____.
In the context of running, needing a break is the most logical response.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
Match: 1. 'Vi skal holde en pause' | 2. 'Jeg skal lige have en femmer' | 3. 'Jeg har brug for et afbræk'
1-A, 2-B, 3-C are the correct cultural matches.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Need vs. Want
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg har brug ___ en pause.
The phrase 'at have brug for' always uses the preposition 'for'.
Du er træt på arbejdet. Hvad siger du?
'Jeg har brug for en pause' is the most polite and common way to express this.
A: Skal vi løbe fem kilometer mere? B: Nej, ____.
In the context of running, needing a break is the most logical response.
Match: 1. 'Vi skal holde en pause' | 2. 'Jeg skal lige have en femmer' | 3. 'Jeg har brug for et afbræk'
1-A, 2-B, 3-C are the correct cultural matches.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually no. Use 'ferie' for a vacation. 'Pause' is for minutes or hours, not weeks.
Yes, it is very common and polite in Denmark's flat hierarchy.
'Rast' is older and usually refers to a rest stop during a journey (like 'rasteplads').
Yes, but it sounds a bit more like a medical or formal requirement.
You say 'Jeg holder pause'.
It is a noun meaning 'use'. The verb is 'har'.
In music or film, it can mean a literal stop or intermission.
It's grammatically better to include 'en', but in very fast speech, it might be dropped.
It's a very informal way to say 'bathroom break'.
You can say 'Jeg har brug for en pause fra det hele' (from it all).
Expressions liées
at trænge til
similarto be in need of
et afbræk
similara break/diversion
at slappe af
builds onto relax
en rygepause
specialized forma smoke break
frokostpause
specialized formlunch break
