die
Verschnaufpause
🌬️ What exactly is a Verschnaufpause?
The German word Verschnaufpause (feminine, article: die) refers to a short break during a strenuous activity, intended to catch one's breath and recover briefly. It's a pause for breath, both literally and figuratively.
Imagine you've hiked up a mountain and need a moment to get your breath back – that's a classic Verschnaufpause.
🚨 There are no other articles for this word; it is always feminine: die Verschnaufpause.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar: Die Verschnaufpause in Sentences
The noun "Verschnaufpause" is feminine. Here is its declension:
Declension (Feminine)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verschnaufpause |
| Genitive | der | Verschnaufpause |
| Dative | der | Verschnaufpause |
| Accusative | die | Verschnaufpause |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verschnaufpausen |
| Genitive | der | Verschnaufpausen |
| Dative | den | Verschnaufpausen |
| Accusative | die | Verschnaufpausen |
Example Sentences
- Nach dem Sprint legten die Läufer eine kurze Verschnaufpause ein.
After the sprint, the runners took a short breather. - Wir brauchen dringend eine Verschnaufpause von der Arbeit.
We urgently need a break (to catch our breath) from work. - Gönn dir eine kleine Verschnaufpause, bevor du weitermachst.
Allow yourself a little breather before you continue. - Während der Wanderung gab es mehrere Verschnaufpausen mit toller Aussicht.
During the hike, there were several breaks to catch our breath with great views.
🏃♀️ When and How to Use "Verschnaufpause"?
The term Verschnaufpause is mostly used informally.
- After physical exertion: Very common in sports, hiking, climbing stairs, or other physical activities. Example: "Puh, lass uns hier kurz eine Verschnaufpause machen." (Phew, let's take a quick breather here.)
- During mental exertion: It can also be used for intensive work or study to clear one's head. Example: "Ich mache eine fünfminütige Verschnaufpause vom Lernen." (I'm taking a five-minute breather from studying.)
- Figuratively: Sometimes used for a short break from a stressful phase or situation. Example: "Das Wochenende war eine willkommene Verschnaufpause vom Alltagsstress." (The weekend was a welcome respite/breather from everyday stress.)
Compared to a normal Pause (break), the Verschnaufpause emphasizes the need to catch one's breath and recover from short-term, intense strain. It is often shorter than a regular Pause.
🧠 Memory Aids for Verschnaufpause
For the article (die): Think of die Pause (the break) or die Erholung (the recovery) – both are feminine in German, just like die Verschnaufpause. Alternatively, imagine someone gasping for air ("Schnauf!") and shutting die door for a quick break.
For the meaning: "Ver-schnauf-Pause" – You need to schnaufen (to pant, gasp for breath) and therefore need a Pause (break). The word itself tells you it's a 'gasping break'.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Atempause: Very similar, emphasizes catching one's breath.
- Ruhepause: More general rest break, not necessarily after exertion.
- Unterbrechung: Neutral term for an interruption or break.
- Erholungspause: Emphasizes the recovery aspect.
- (kurze) Pause: Simplest synonym (short break).
- Breather (English equivalent): Often used similarly in English.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Durcharbeiten: Working through without a break.
- Anstrengung / Belastung: Effort / Strain (the state requiring a Verschnaufpause).
- Dauerlauf / Nonstop-Aktivität: Continuous run / non-stop activity.
- Continuous effort / Uninterrupted work
⚠️ Note: A Mittagspause (lunch break) is typically longer and more structured than a Verschnaufpause.
😄 A Joke to Catch Your Breath
Warum machen Skelette keine Verschnaufpause?
Weil sie keine Lungen zum Verschnaufen haben! 😉
---
Why don't skeletons take a breather (Verschnaufpause)?
Because they don't have lungs to catch their breath with! 😉
📜 Little Poem About the Break
Die Arbeit schwer, der Berg so steil,
der Atem geht, man braucht sein Teil
an kurzer Rast, an frischer Luft,
ein süßer, kleiner Pausenduft.
Die Lunge füllt sich, Kraft kehrt ein,
so soll die Verschnaufpause sein!
---
The work is hard, the mountain steep,
The breath is short, a promise to keep:
A moment's rest, some fresh air sought,
A sweet, small scent of break is caught.
The lungs fill up, strength flows anew,
That's what a Verschnaufpause should do!
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin kurz und oft willkommen,
wenn dir der Atem ist benommen.
Nach Sprint und Stress, da brauchst du mich,
zum Luftholen, ganz sicherlich.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Verschnaufpause
---
I am short and often welcome,
When your breath has left you numb.
After sprints and stress, you need me near,
To catch your breath, it's very clear.
What am I?
Answer: die Verschnaufpause (a breather)
🧩 Word Origin
The word Verschnaufpause is a compound noun formed from:
- verschnaufen: To recover briefly from panting (schnaufen), to catch one's breath. The prefix "ver-" here often implies completion or cessation (briefly stopping the panting).
- Pause: A break or interruption in an activity.
Together, the meaning is therefore: a pause to recover from panting/heavy breathing.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verschnaufpause?
The word "Verschnaufpause" is feminine. The correct article is die. So you say: die Verschnaufpause (Nominative/Accusative Singular), der Verschnaufpause (Genitive/Dative Singular). The plural is die Verschnaufpausen.