kaffepause

Kaffepause is a short break taken during work, study, or other daytime activities to drink coffee. The term is used in Sweden and other Nordic contexts and is broadly comparable to the German Kaffeepause and the English coffee break. In Swedish culture, kaffepaus is typically a brief, scheduled pause rather than a social ritual, and it often serves as a quick reset rather than a longer gathering.

The Swedish concept is closely related to, but distinct from, fika, which is a broader social practice involving coffee (or tea) and pastries, shared with colleagues or friends. Fika emphasizes social interaction and can last longer than a standard kaffepaus, whereas kaffepaus focuses more on a short restorative pause for a beverage.

Typical characteristics include a duration of roughly 5 to 15 minutes and a timing that commonly sits mid-morning or mid-afternoon. The exact form varies by workplace and country: some environments have one or two kaffepauses per day, while others treat it as an informal break whenever convenient. Beverages are usually coffee, but tea or water may be available; light snacks may accompany the break in some settings.

In modern work culture, kaffepause remains a routine method to recharge, exchange brief updates, or socialize briefly with coworkers. Its prevalence and form can adapt to remote, hybrid, or asynchronous work arrangements, but the core idea—a brief, regular pause for a caffeinated drink—persists as a familiar rhythm in many workplaces.