German Phrase
Wann haben wir Pause?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the time when a scheduled break will take place. It is a neutral, everyday question you might hear in a classroom, at work, or during a meeting.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to know the exact moment a pause starts – for example, asking a teacher, a supervisor, or a colleague about the next coffee break or recess.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WannhabenwirPause?
Wann (question word)
‘Wann’ asks for a point in time and always starts a yes‑no or ‘W‑’ question.
haben (present tense)
‘haben’ is the present‑tense form of the verb ‘haben’ (to have) for all persons except 3rd‑person singular.
wir (subject pronoun)
‘wir’ means ‘we’ and is the subject of the sentence; it follows the verb in a main clause question.
Pause (noun, feminine)
‘die Pause’ means ‘break’; in questions the article is omitted, but the noun stays in the nominative.
Word order in a ‘W‑question’
In German ‘W‑questions’, the interrogative word comes first, then the finite verb, then the subject.
🗨In Conversation
Wann haben wir Pause?
When do we have a break?
Wir haben um zehn Uhr fünfzehn Minuten Pause.
We have a break at 10:15.
✕Common Mistakes
Wann haben wir Pausen?
‘Pausen’ is the plural; the question refers to a single scheduled break, so use the singular ‘Pause’.
Wann ist wir Pause?
The verb ‘sein’ (ist) is not used with ‘haben’ in this construction; you need ‘haben’ because you’re asking who ‘has’ the break.
Wann haben wir Sie Pause?
When using the formal ‘Sie’, replace ‘wir’ with ‘Sie’ and adjust the verb accordingly.
↔Alternatives
Um wie viel Uhr ist unsere Pause?
At what time is our break?
Wann ist die Pause?
When is the break?
Wann machen wir Pause?
When do we take a break?
Cultural Tip
In German schools a ‘Pause’ usually lasts 20‑30 minutes and is scheduled between lessons. In the workplace, a ‘Pause’ can be a coffee break or a lunch break, and the exact timing is often set by company policy. Using the formal ‘Sie’ form (e.g., “Wann haben Sie Pause?”) is appropriate when speaking to a supervisor or someone you don’t know well.