Taking a short break | Learn German in English

About This Lesson

Use Taking a short break to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ich brauche eine kurze Pause.

ikh BROW-khuh EYE-nuh KOORT-suh POW-zuh I need a short break.

Setzen wir uns aufs Sofa.

ZET-sen veer oons owfs ZOH-fah Let's sit on the sofa.

Kann ich etwas Kaffee bekommen?

kahn ikh ET-vahs kah-FAY beh-KOM-en Can I get some coffee?

In der Küche ist Kaffee.

in dair KUE-khuh ist kah-FAY There is coffee in the kitchen.

Ich hole mir Kaffee, nachdem ich mich ein bisschen gestreckt habe.

ikh HOH-luh meer kah-FAY, NAKH-dem ikh mikh EYE-n BIS-khen geh-SHTREKT HAH-buh I'll get some after I stretch a little.

Dehnen hilft, wenn man müde ist.

DAY-nen hilft, ven mahn MYOO-duh ist Stretching helps when you feel tired.

Dieser Raum ist ruhig.

DEE-zuh ROWM ist ROO-ikh This room is quiet.

Wir können uns hier eine Weile ausruhen.

veer KURN-en oons heer EYE-nuh VY-luh OWS-roo-en We can rest here for a while.

Word by Word

Ich “Ich” means “I” and is the speaker referring to themself in “Ich brauche eine kurze Pause.” It is commonly used at the beginning of a statement about your own needs or actions.

brauche “brauche” means “need” here: the speaker needs a short break. It is used with the thing needed, as in “Ich brauche eine kurze Pause.” You can use this pattern to state a personal need in everyday conversation.

eine In “eine kurze Pause,” “eine” means “a” and introduces one short break. It belongs together with the noun phrase “eine kurze Pause.” Use it before a singular noun phrase when referring to one nonspecific thing.

kurze “kurze” means “short” and describes the break in “eine kurze Pause.” Its ending matches this noun phrase. You can reuse it before a noun when describing something as short.

Pause “Pause” means “break,” specifically the short rest the speaker needs. In “eine kurze Pause,” it refers to time away from work or another activity. This word is useful when asking for or talking about a rest period.

Setzen “Setzen” contributes the meaning “sit down” in the suggestion “Setzen wir uns aufs Sofa.” Together with “wir uns,” it invites both speakers to sit down. Use this expression when suggesting that a group sit somewhere.

wir “wir” means “we” and identifies the people included in the suggestion “Setzen wir uns aufs Sofa.” In this word order, it follows the verb because the sentence is a suggestion. It is used when the speaker includes themself and at least one other person.

uns “uns” refers to the speakers themselves in “Setzen wir uns aufs Sofa” and “Wir können uns hier eine Weile ausruhen.” It shows that the action concerns the group of speakers. The reusable pattern is “Wir können uns ... ausruhen” for saying that we can rest.

aufs “aufs” means “onto the” or “on the” in “aufs Sofa.” It is the compact form used before “Sofa” in this destination expression. Use “aufs” when describing movement onto a neuter noun with “auf das.”

Sofa “Sofa” means “sofa,” the place where the speakers suggest sitting. In “aufs Sofa,” it is the destination of the movement. This word can be used when inviting someone to sit on a sofa.

Kann “Kann” means “can” in the question “Kann ich etwas Kaffee bekommen?” It asks whether the speaker is able or allowed to get some coffee. This question pattern is useful for making a polite request.

etwas “etwas” means “some” in “etwas Kaffee,” referring to an unspecified amount of coffee. It comes before the substance or thing being requested. Use “etwas” when asking for or referring to a small or unspecified amount.

Kaffee “Kaffee” means “coffee” in “etwas Kaffee” and “In der Küche ist Kaffee.” It refers to the drink available or requested in the break-room situation. You can use it after “etwas” when asking for some coffee.

bekommen “bekommen” means “get” or “receive” in “etwas Kaffee bekommen.” With “Kann ich,” it forms a question about obtaining some coffee. The reusable pattern is “Kann ich ... bekommen?” when asking whether you can receive or get something.

In “In” means “in” in “In der Küche,” locating the coffee inside the kitchen. It introduces the place where something is located. Use it before a place when saying that something is in that place.

der “der” means “the” in the location phrase “der Küche.” Together, “In der Küche” means “in the kitchen.” Learn it as part of this common location phrase when describing where something is.

Küche “Küche” means “kitchen,” the place where the coffee is located. In “In der Küche ist Kaffee,” it identifies the location. This word is useful when giving directions to food or drinks at home or at work.

ist “ist” means “is” in “In der Küche ist Kaffee,” stating that coffee is present in the kitchen. With a place at the beginning, the sentence can present what is there. Use this pattern to say that something is available at a location.

hole “hole” means “get” or “fetch” in “Ich hole mir Kaffee.” It describes the speaker going to get coffee for themself. The reusable pattern is “Ich hole mir ...” when saying that you will fetch something for yourself.

mir “mir” contributes “for myself” in “Ich hole mir Kaffee.” It shows who will benefit from getting the coffee. Use “mir” in the pattern “Ich hole mir ...” when you fetch something for yourself.

nachdem “nachdem” means “after” and introduces the action that must happen first in “nachdem ich mich ein bisschen gestreckt habe.” The verb appears at the end of this subordinate clause. Use “nachdem” to connect a later action with an earlier completed action.

mich “mich” refers back to the speaker in “ich mich ein bisschen gestreckt habe.” It shows that the speaker stretches themself. It is used here with the stretching expression to describe the speaker’s own physical action.

ein In “ein bisschen,” “ein” contributes the meaning “a” in the expression “a little.” It does not mean “one” here. Use “ein bisschen” before an activity or quality when describing a small amount.

bisschen “bisschen” means “bit” or “little” in “ein bisschen,” so the speaker stretches for a small amount. Together, “ein bisschen” is a common way to soften or limit an action. Use it before an adjective or activity when you mean “a little.”

gestreckt “gestreckt” means “stretched” in “mich ein bisschen gestreckt habe.” It describes the stretching completed before the speaker gets coffee. It is used here as part of the expression for having stretched.

habe “habe” means “have” and completes “gestreckt habe” at the end of the clause “nachdem ich mich ein bisschen gestreckt habe.” Together, they describe the earlier completed stretching. In this clause, “habe” comes after the other verb form.

Dehnen “Dehnen” means “stretching” and names the activity in “Dehnen hilft.” It is the activity that helps when someone feels tired. Use it as the subject when talking generally about stretching as an activity.

hilft “hilft” means “helps” in “Dehnen hilft, wenn man müde ist.” It states that stretching has a helpful effect. Use it with the thing that provides help, as in “Dehnen hilft.”

wenn “wenn” means “when” in “wenn man müde ist,” introducing the situation in which stretching helps. It begins a subordinate clause. Use “wenn” to describe a condition or recurring situation.

man “man” means “one” or “people in general” in “wenn man müde ist.” It does not refer to one specific person. Use it when giving general advice or describing what people experience.

müde “müde” means “tired” in “wenn man müde ist.” It describes a person’s condition in the situation where stretching helps. Use it with “sein” when saying that someone is tired.

Dieser “Dieser” means “this” in “Dieser Raum ist ruhig,” pointing to the room where the speakers are. It identifies a specific nearby room. Use it before a noun when indicating this particular thing.

Raum “Raum” means “room” in “Dieser Raum ist ruhig.” It refers to the quiet room where the speakers are taking their break. This word is useful when describing or identifying an indoor space.

ruhig “ruhig” means “quiet” in “Dieser Raum ist ruhig.” It describes the room as having little or no noise. Use it after “sein” to describe a place that is quiet.

können “können” means “can” or “be able to” in “Wir können uns hier eine Weile ausruhen.” It expresses that resting is possible for the speakers. Use “können” with another verb to say what someone can do.

hier “hier” means “here” and identifies the current location in “Wir können uns hier eine Weile ausruhen.” It tells the speakers where they can rest. Use it when referring to the place where the conversation is happening.

Weile “Weile” means “while” in “eine Weile,” referring to a period of time. Together, “eine Weile” means that the speakers can rest for some time. This expression is useful when the exact length of time is not specified.

ausruhen “ausruhen” means “rest” in “uns hier eine Weile ausruhen.” With “können,” it names the action that is possible. Use “können ... ausruhen” when saying that someone can take time to rest.

Grammar Points

sich auf etwas setzen

sich auf etwas setzen

zikh owf ET-vahs ZET-sen

to sit down on something

The reflexive pronoun sich belongs with setzen; auf introduces what you sit on.

aufs + noun

aufs Sofa

owfs ZOH-fah

onto the sofa

aufs combines auf + das and is used before a neuter noun.

German Vocabulary

auf prep

owf on aufs

on the sofa

bekommen verb

beh-KOM-en to get; to receive

get some coffee

brauchen verb

BROW-khen to need brauche

I need a short break

etwas pron

ET-vahs some; something

some coffee

in prep

in in In

in the kitchen

Kaffee noun

kah-FAY coffee

some coffee

Küche noun

KUE-khuh kitchen

in the kitchen

kurz adj

KOORTS short kurze

a short break

Pause noun

POW-zuh break

a short break

setzen verb

ZET-sen to sit down Setzen

Let's sit down

sich pron

zikh oneself uns

Let's sit down

Sofa noun

ZOH-fah sofa

on the sofa

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I need a short break.

Show Answer

Ich brauche eine kurze Pause.

Let's sit on the sofa.

Show Answer

Setzen wir uns aufs Sofa.

Can I get some coffee?

Show Answer

Kann ich etwas Kaffee bekommen?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to need

Show Answer

brauche

sofa

Show Answer

Sofa

coffee

Show Answer

Kaffee

some; something

Show Answer

etwas