Meaning
Stopping work for a rest.
Cultural Background
The 'kaffepause' is a sacred ritual. In many Danish offices, there is a specific time (often 10:00 AM) where everyone gathers at the coffee machine. It's considered rude to stay at your desk during this time. Work-life balance is prioritized. 'At holde pause' is seen as a way to maintain high productivity throughout the day, rather than a sign of laziness. Children have 'frikvarter' (free quarter-hour) between lessons. Even if the weather is bad, they are often encouraged to go outside to 'holde pause' in the fresh air. The right to 'holde pause' is often written into collective bargaining agreements. For example, if you work more than six hours, you are legally entitled to a break.
Use 'lige'
Add 'lige' to sound like a native: 'Jeg holder lige pause.' it makes the request sound less demanding.
Don't say 'gøre pause'
Even though many languages use 'make,' Danish never uses 'gøre' with pause.
Meaning
Stopping work for a rest.
Use 'lige'
Add 'lige' to sound like a native: 'Jeg holder lige pause.' it makes the request sound less demanding.
Don't say 'gøre pause'
Even though many languages use 'make,' Danish never uses 'gøre' with pause.
The Lunch Culture
In Denmark, lunch is often at 11:30 or 12:00. If you ask to 'holde pause' at 14:00, people might assume it's a coffee break.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'at holde'.
Vi ______ pause i går klokken to.
The sentence refers to 'i går' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'holdt'.
Which sentence is most natural in a Danish office?
How do you ask a colleague for a break?
'Skal vi holde pause?' is the standard, polite way to suggest a break to others.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jeg er meget træt af at læse. B: ______
'Lad os...' (Let's...) is the natural way to propose a joint action.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. Frokostpause, 2. Rygepause, 3. Tissepause
These are common compound nouns used with 'at holde'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Pauses
Work
- • Frokostpause
- • Kaffepause
- • Rygepause
School
- • Frikvarter
- • Læsepause
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVi ______ pause i går klokken to.
The sentence refers to 'i går' (yesterday), so we need the past tense 'holdt'.
How do you ask a colleague for a break?
'Skal vi holde pause?' is the standard, polite way to suggest a break to others.
A: Jeg er meget træt af at læse. B: ______
'Lad os...' (Let's...) is the natural way to propose a joint action.
1. Frokostpause, 2. Rygepause, 3. Tissepause
These are common compound nouns used with 'at holde'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'tage en pause' is very common and almost interchangeable, but 'holde pause' is the more traditional collocation.
Yes, 'at holde en pause' is the standard way to say a couple is taking time apart.
You can say 'frokostpause'. You 'holder frokostpause'.
The past tense is 'holdt'. For example: 'Vi holdt pause i en time.'
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, if you need to stop a board game or video game, you can say 'Lad os holde en pause'.
Usually, but it can also mean a temporary stop in a process, like a trial or a negotiation.
'Frikvarter' is specifically a school break. You still 'holder' it.
No, you should say 'Jeg holder pause' or 'Jeg er på pause'.
Both work. 'Jeg holder pause' is general. 'Jeg holder en pause' is more specific.
Related Phrases
at slappe af
similarto relax
at puste ud
similarto catch one's breath
at holde fri
builds onto have time off
at afbryde
contrastto interrupt
