Italian Phrase
Faccio una breve pausa.
Meaning
Literally, “I make a short break.” In practice it means “I’m taking a short break” – a quick pause from work, study, or conversation before continuing.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to step away for a few minutes – during a meeting, while studying, or in a casual chat – to let the other person know you’ll be back shortly.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Facciounabrevepausa
Faccio (fare)
‘Faccio’ is the 1st‑person singular present of the verb *fare* (to do/make). It is used like ‘I do’ or ‘I make’.
una (indefinite article)
‘una’ is the feminine singular indefinite article, matching the gender of *pausa*.
breve (adjective)
‘breve’ means ‘short/brief’ and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
pausa (noun)
‘pausa’ is a feminine noun meaning ‘break, pause’. In everyday speech it often refers to a coffee break or a short rest.
🗨In Conversation
Faccio una breve pausa.
I’m taking a short break.
Va bene, ti aspetto qui.
Alright, I’ll wait for you here.
✕Common Mistakes
Fa una breve pausa.
‘fa’ is the third‑person singular; you need the first‑person form ‘faccio’ to say ‘I take a break’.
Faccio un breve pausa.
‘pausa’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘una’, not ‘un’.
Faccio una pausa breve.
While ‘breve pausa’ is grammatically correct, the more natural order in Italian is adjective after the article: *una breve pausa*.
↔Alternatives
Prendo una breve pausa.
I’m taking a short break.
Mi fermo per un attimo.
I’m stopping for a moment.
Faccio una piccola pausa.
I’m having a little break.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, short breaks – especially coffee breaks called *pausa caffè* – are a normal part of the workday. Saying *Faccio una breve pausa* is informal but perfectly acceptable in most social and professional contexts, as long as you keep a friendly tone.