przerwy

Przerwy is the plural form of przerwa, a Polish noun meaning a pause, interruption, or break in an ongoing activity. The term is used across many domains to denote temporary cessation intended to rest, regroup, or switch tasks. Etymologically, przerwa derives from the verb przerwać, meaning to interrupt, with the suffix that forms a noun.

In everyday usage, przerwy appear in work, education, transportation, sports, media, and technology. A break during work is a planned interval when active tasks temporarily stop, allowing restoration of concentration or recovery from fatigue. In schools, przerwy refer to intermission between lessons and to longer lunch breaks. In travel and public services, they can denote service interruptions or downtimes, such as maintenance periods or delays. In sports, timeouts or injured-player pauses are also described as przerwy. In broadcasting or digital services, outages or scheduled downtimes may be termed przerwy in transmission.

Regulatory and practical aspects vary by country and sector. In Poland, labor law provides for a minimum break: after six hours of continuous work, employees are entitled to a break of at least 15 minutes. The precise treatment of this break—whether it is paid or unpaid—depends on the employer’s policy, contract terms, and applicable regulations. Beyond legal requirements, breaks are commonly encouraged to maintain safety, productivity, and well-being. In educational settings, breaks are usually mandated by school schedules and local regulations, reflecting the needs of students and staff.

Cultural practice around przerwy emphasizes rest, social interaction, and time management; modern research often highlights the benefits of regular microbreaks to sustain performance and reduce fatigue.