French word

break

Pronunciation

IPA/bʁɛk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbreak

Example

Je vais faire un break de dix minutes.

I'm going to take a ten-minute break.

Illustration for break (break)

More examples

Je fais un break avant de reprendre le travail.

I take a break before resuming work.

Core concept

A brief stop in an activity, creating a small breathing space before work resumes.

Common phrases

  • faire un break

    take a break

  • prendre un break

    take a break

Similar words

pause: A short period when an activity stops for rest.

Definition in French

Désigne une brève interruption d'activité destinée au repos ou à un changement d'occupation.

Word origin

French break is borrowed from English break, from Old English brecan, 'to break'; the meaning extended from interrupting an action to pausing it.

Usage tips

  • 'Faire un break' and 'prendre un break' are common informal phrases, while 'faire une pause' is more neutral or formal.

Other meanings

  • station wagonnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word