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How to Say ‘When do you take your lunch break?’ in German

Wann macht ihr Mittagspause?

vahn mahkt eer MIT-tahks-pow-zeh

[vahn mahkt eer MIT-tahks-pow-zeh]

💬 Usage Tip: ihr is the informal "you" for a group, and its verb ends in -t: ihr macht, ihr kommt. Use it when you're asking about the whole team, not just the one person you're talking to.

Phrase Breakdown

Wann macht ihr

vahn mahkt eer

When do you all take

'Ihr' is the informal plural 'you'. 'Wann' sounds like 'vann'. The 'ch' in 'macht' is a throaty sound, as in Scottish 'loch'.

Example

Wann macht ihr Feierabend?

When do you all finish work?

Words in this phrase

Wann

[vahn]

when

Question word asking about time.

Example

Wann haben Sie Zeit?

When do you have time?

macht

[mahkt]

do, make

Form of 'machen' used with 'ihr'; 'Pause machen' = take a break.

Example

Wann macht ihr Feierabend?

When do you all finish work?

ihr

[eer]

you (plural)

The informal 'you' for talking to two or more people.

Example

Kommt ihr heute Abend?

Are you guys coming tonight?

Mittagspause?

MIT-tahks-pow-zeh

lunch break?

A compound of 'Mittag' (midday) and 'Pause' (break). Stress the first syllable: 'MIT-tags-pau-ze'.

Example

Die Mittagspause ist um zwölf.

The lunch break is at twelve.

Words in this phrase

Mittagspause

[MIT-tahks-pow-zeh]

lunch break

Feminine compound: Mittag (noon) + Pause (break).

Example

Die Mittagspause dauert eine Stunde.

The lunch break lasts an hour.

Guides for German learners

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