Meaning
Stopping an activity temporarily.
Cultural Background
The 'fika' culture is essentially a formalized 'paus'. It is so important that many Swedish contracts include a right to two 15-minute fika breaks per day. In Sweden, taking a break is seen as a sign of efficiency. If you don't take breaks, colleagues might worry you are heading for 'utbrändhet' (burnout). Sweden is one of the most digitized countries, which has led to a strong counter-movement of 'digital detox'. 'Ta en paus från sociala medier' is a very common New Year's resolution. Swedish schools emphasize 'rörelsepauser' (movement breaks) where students take a break from sitting to move around, improving focus.
Use it to be polite
If you are in a long conversation and need to leave, saying 'Jag måste ta en paus' is a very polite way to exit.
Don't say 'göra'
Even if your native language uses 'do' or 'make', always use 'ta' in Swedish.
Meaning
Stopping an activity temporarily.
Use it to be polite
If you are in a long conversation and need to leave, saying 'Jag måste ta en paus' is a very polite way to exit.
Don't say 'göra'
Even if your native language uses 'do' or 'make', always use 'ta' in Swedish.
The Fika Rule
If someone asks you to 'ta en paus', they are often inviting you for coffee. It's a social invitation!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'ta'.
Igår ___ jag en paus från jobbet klockan tre.
'Igår' (yesterday) requires the past tense form 'tog'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the best option:
This uses the correct verb (ta), the correct article (en), and the correct preposition (från).
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You are tired of looking at your phone.
'Mobilen' is the Swedish word for mobile phone.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vill du ha kaffe? B: Ja tack, jag behöver ___.
This is the most natural way to express needing a break while working at a computer.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Common things to take a break from
Work/Study
- • Jobbet
- • Skolan
- • Datorn
Lifestyle
- • Sociala medier
- • Mobilen
- • Nyheterna
Physical
- • Träningen
- • Städningen
- • Löpningen
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIgår ___ jag en paus från jobbet klockan tre.
'Igår' (yesterday) requires the past tense form 'tog'.
Select the best option:
This uses the correct verb (ta), the correct article (en), and the correct preposition (från).
You are tired of looking at your phone.
'Mobilen' is the Swedish word for mobile phone.
A: Vill du ha kaffe? B: Ja tack, jag behöver ___.
This is the most natural way to express needing a break while working at a computer.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is possible in very informal, clipped speech, but 'ta en paus' is the standard and most correct form.
'Paus' is a short, often informal break. 'Rast' is a longer, scheduled break like a lunch break or school recess.
Yes, it is the standard way to say a couple is 'taking a break'.
Yes, 'ta en paus från barnen' (take a break from the kids) is a common expression for parents.
Use the past tense: 'Jag tog en paus'.
Yes, if you are explaining a gap in your resume, you can say 'Jag tog en paus från karriären'.
It's a specific type of 'paus' where you 'stretch your legs'. It's very common in long meetings.
'Avbrott' is more like an 'interruption' and can be negative. 'Paus' is usually positive and intentional.
No, 'från' is the correct preposition to show what you are stopping.
Yes, it is in the top 200 most used nouns.
Related Phrases
Ta en rast
similarTo take a scheduled break (like lunch).
Ta en fika
specialized formTo take a coffee break.
Vila upp sig
builds onTo recover or rest thoroughly.
Hålla upp med
synonymTo stop doing something for a while.
