Meaning
Stopping work to rest.
Cultural Background
The 'kaffepause' is a vital social lubricant in Danish offices. It's often where informal decisions are made. Children have 'frikvarter', which are mandatory breaks between lessons to play outside, regardless of the weather. Breaks are often legally protected. A 30-minute lunch break is standard for workdays over 6 hours. It is considered polite to ask others if they want to 'holde pause' rather than just taking one yourself.
Drop the 'en'
For the most natural sound, say 'Jeg holder pause' without the 'en'. It sounds more like a native speaker.
The Coffee Invite
If a Dane asks 'Skal vi holde pause?', they are usually asking if you want to go get coffee and chat.
Meaning
Stopping work to rest.
Drop the 'en'
For the most natural sound, say 'Jeg holder pause' without the 'en'. It sounds more like a native speaker.
The Coffee Invite
If a Dane asks 'Skal vi holde pause?', they are usually asking if you want to go get coffee and chat.
Past Tense Trap
Remember the past tense is 'holdt' (one syllable), not 'holdte'.
Compound Power
You can combine almost any activity with '-pause' to create a new word, like 'læsepause' or 'strikkepause'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'holde'.
Vi ______ pause klokken 12 hver dag.
'Hver dag' indicates a present habit, so we use 'holder'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'We took a break'?
'Holdt' is the past tense of 'holde'.
Match the Danish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common compound nouns for specific breaks.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jeg er meget træt af at læse. B: Skal vi ikke _________?
When you are tired of an activity but will continue later, you 'holder pause'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Pauses
Work
- • Frokostpause
- • Kaffepause
- • Røgpause
School
- • Frikvarter
- • Læsepause
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVi ______ pause klokken 12 hver dag.
'Hver dag' indicates a present habit, so we use 'holder'.
How do you say 'We took a break'?
'Holdt' is the past tense of 'holde'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common compound nouns for specific breaks.
A: Jeg er meget træt af at læse. B: Skal vi ikke _________?
When you are tired of an activity but will continue later, you 'holder pause'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is very common and understood, but 'holde pause' is the more traditional Danish collocation.
No, it is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your friends, or your children.
'Frikvarter' is specifically for school breaks. 'Pause' is for everything else.
You say 'Jeg trænger til en pause' or 'Jeg har brug for en pause'.
Yes, 'at holde pause i et forhold' means to take a temporary break from each other.
No, in standard Danish, the 'd' in 'holde' is silent.
Usually no. 'Jeg holder pause' is more common than 'Jeg holder en pause'.
Yes, when you add an adjective like 'lille' (small) or 'lang' (long), you must use the article 'en'.
It's a very common, slightly informal way to say 'bathroom break'.
A coffee break is 10-15 minutes, and a lunch break is usually 30 minutes.
Related Phrases
at tage en pause
synonymTo take a break
et frikvarter
specialized formA school break
at puste ud
similarTo catch one's breath
at trække stikket
idiomTo unplug
