Signification
A brief pause during work or study.
Contexte culturel
The 'пятиминутка' (five-minuter) is a cultural staple. Originally a quick morning briefing in Soviet factories, it now often refers to a quick, informal break or a very short meeting. In Russian universities, a 'пара' (double lesson) is 90 minutes. Usually, there is a 'короткий перерыв' of 5 minutes in the middle, or a longer 'перемена' between 'пары'. In Russian theater, a break is called an 'антракт'. Calling it a 'короткий перерыв' would sound very uncultured, though technically it is one. If you are a guest in a Russian home and the host is busy, they might say 'Извини, короткий перерыв' if they need to take a quick phone call. It's a polite way to pause the social interaction.
The 'Na' Rule
Always use 'на' + Accusative to say what the break is for: 'перерыв на обед', 'перерыв на сон', 'перерыв на рекламу'.
Avoid 'Take'
While 'взять перерыв' is understood, 'сделать перерыв' will make you sound much more like a native speaker.
Signification
A brief pause during work or study.
The 'Na' Rule
Always use 'на' + Accusative to say what the break is for: 'перерыв на обед', 'перерыв на сон', 'перерыв на рекламу'.
Avoid 'Take'
While 'взять перерыв' is understood, 'сделать перерыв' will make you sound much more like a native speaker.
Diminutives
In very friendly settings, you might hear 'перерывчик'. It sounds cute and makes the break seem even shorter and more pleasant.
The Smoke Break
Even if you don't smoke, 'пойдем на перекур' is a very common social invitation in Russia. It's okay to go and just breathe fresh air!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
После долгой лекции профессор объявил короткий ________.
The verb 'объявить' requires the Accusative case. For masculine inanimate nouns like 'перерыв', the Accusative is the same as the Nominative.
Which verb is most naturally used with 'короткий перерыв' in a casual office setting?
Давай ________ короткий перерыв.
'Сделать перерыв' is the standard Russian collocation.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'короткий перерыв'?
'Короткий перерыв' implies a brief pause with an intention to return to the activity.
Complete the dialogue.
— Я очень устал писать этот отчёт. — Может быть, ...?
Taking a short break is the logical response to being tired from a specific task.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Types of Breaks in Russian
General
- • перерыв
- • пауза
School
- • перемена
Theater
- • антракт
Work/Slang
- • перекур
- • пятиминутка
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesПосле долгой лекции профессор объявил короткий ________.
The verb 'объявить' requires the Accusative case. For masculine inanimate nouns like 'перерыв', the Accusative is the same as the Nominative.
Давай ________ короткий перерыв.
'Сделать перерыв' is the standard Russian collocation.
Where would you most likely hear 'короткий перерыв'?
'Короткий перерыв' implies a brief pause with an intention to return to the activity.
— Я очень устал писать этот отчёт. — Может быть, ...?
Taking a short break is the logical response to being tired from a specific task.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with a CEO or a toddler. It's the 'jeans and a nice shirt' of Russian phrases.
Yes, it's perfectly fine and very common. 'Короткий' focuses on time, 'маленький' focuses on the scale of the break.
Use: 'Давайте сделаем десятиминутный перерыв' or 'Давайте сделаем перерыв на десять минут'.
'Перерыв' is usually a planned stop in work. 'Пауза' is a stop in speech, music, or a movie.
It's better to use 'пауза в отношениях'. 'Перерыв' sounds a bit too much like a scheduled office meeting.
Yes, 'короткие перерывы'. For example: 'Короткие перерывы полезны для здоровья'.
You can say 'Перерыв закончился' or 'Перерыв подошёл к концу'.
'Можно сделать короткий перерыв?' is the standard polite way.
Almost. 'Пятиминутка' is specifically a 5-minute break or a very short meeting.
Yes! 'Короткий перерыв в дожде' means the rain stopped for a little while.
This is a 'technical break', often seen on signs in shops or banks when they close for 15 minutes to settle accounts.
Usually, but it can also mean a gap in a sequence, like a 'перерыв в стаже' (a gap in work experience).
Expressions liées
сделать паузу
synonymTo take a pause
перемена
specialized formSchool break
антракт
specialized formIntermission
перекур
informalSmoke break
отдых
similarRest/Vacation
