How to Say ‘Take a Break’ in Portuguese: Fazer uma Pausa
Learn the natural Portuguese phrases for a short pause, a rest, and time away from work.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Fazer uma pausa means to take a pause or break. It fits work, study, and conversation. Name the length with uma pausa de dez minutos (a ten-minute break).
Use fazer uma pausa for a short break
Vamos fazer uma pausa de dez minutos.
Let’s take a ten-minute break.
Preciso fazer uma pausa antes de continuar.
I need to take a break before continuing.
Use parar um pouco for a casual pause
Parar um pouco means to stop for a little while. Descansar means to rest. These phrases work when you are tired or want to pause an activity; a day away from work is folga, which is a different idea.
Vou parar um pouco para tomar água.
I’m going to stop for a bit to drink some water.
Depois do almoço, quero descansar por meia hora.
After lunch, I want to rest for half an hour.
Ask for a break or suggest one to a group
Could we take a break? can be podemos fazer uma pausa? To suggest a quick pause informally, vamos parar um pouco? Make the length clear if other people are waiting.
Podemos fazer uma pausa antes da próxima atividade?
Could we take a break before the next activity?
Vamos parar por cinco minutos e depois voltamos.
Let’s stop for five minutes and then come back.
Put it into practice
Use fazer uma pausa for a break, descansar for resting, and folga for time off work.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “After lunch, I want to rest for half an hour”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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