Translation guide
A short rest period during work or an event, typically for drinking tea or coffee. In Japanese, this is often expressed with specific terms depending on context, or described naturally.
A short pause during work or daily activities to have tea, coffee, or a light snack.
General word for a break or rest. Can be used for a tea break, but doesn't specify tea. Often combined with お茶 (tea) to clarify.
Let's take a short break.
Shall we take a tea break?
A common casual phrase meaning 'to have tea' or 'to take a tea break'. Implies stopping an activity to drink tea.
Let's have a tea break soon.
Let's have tea at 3 o'clock.
Loanword from English, used for a designated tea time, often in a more formal or Western context, like at a hotel or cafe.
We enjoyed tea time at the hotel.
Literally 'to take a puff' (originally from smoking), but commonly used for taking a short break, often with tea or coffee. Casual.
Let's take a break here.
A planned intermission in a conference, seminar, or formal gathering for refreshments.
A break during a tea gathering or formal event where matcha and sweets are served.
In the context of a formal tea ceremony (茶事), this refers to the intermission between the first and second parts, when guests take a break. Highly specific.
We left our seats during the intermission.
This phrase is very common in casual conversation among friends or colleagues. It implies a mutual decision to pause and relax. It can be used even if you're actually drinking coffee.
I'm tired, so why don't we take a tea break?
休憩 is the standard word for any break. 一服 is casual and implies a short rest, often with a drink. お茶にする specifically suggests having tea/coffee and is very natural in daily speech.
We have arranged a tea break after the meeting.
Loanword for 'coffee break', common in business or seminar contexts. Often used even if tea is served.
The coffee break is at 10:30.