on a break

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian Unknown informal
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Meaning: temporarily separated

暂时分开。
Separados temporalmente.
一時的に離れている。
일시적으로 거리를 두고 있는 상태

A pause in a relationship where the couple separates temporarily, often to evaluate their future. Made famous by Friends.

情侣暂时分开的关系暂停期,通常是为了评估未来。因美剧《老友记》而闻名。
Una pausa en la relación donde la pareja se separa temporalmente, a menudo para evaluar su futuro. Se hizo famoso por Friends.
カップルが一時的に離れる関係の一時停止。しばしば将来を見極めるため。「フレンズ」で有名になった。
커플이 미래를 재고하기 위해 일시적으로 떨어져 있는 관계의 휴지기. 미드 프렌즈로 널리 알려진 표현이다.

Examples

  1. We're on a break right now.
    我们现在在冷静期
    Ahora mismo nos estamos dando un tiempo
    今、距離を置いてるの
    지금 우리 거리를 두고 있어
  2. They were on a break but got back together.
    他们分开过一段时间,但后来又复合了
    Se dieron un tiempo pero volvieron
    距離を置いてたけど、よりを戻した
    거리를 두고 있었는데 다시 만나게 됐어
  3. WE WERE ON A BREAK!' - the Friends defence
    我们当时是分开了的!——《老友记》经典台词
    ¡NOS HABÍAMOS DADO UN TIEMPO! — la defensa de Friends
    俺たちは距離を置いてたんだ! — フレンズのあの名台詞
    우리는 거리를 두고 있었다고!' — 프렌즈의 그 명대사

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, separation

Tone: uncertain

✓ Do Say

  • Describe temporary separation
    用来描述暂时的分开
    para describir una separación temporal
    一時的な別離を表現する時に使う
    일시적인 별거를 설명할 때 사용

✗ Don't Say

  • The Friends reference can be tiresome
    引用《老友记》可能会让人觉得烦
    La referencia a Friends puede resultar cansina
    フレンズの引用はうんざりされることがある
    프렌즈 레퍼런스가 식상할 수 있음

Origin & History

Common relationship term, immortalised by the TV show Friends where Ross and Rachel's 'break' led to ongoing dispute.

Cultural Context

Era: modern

Generation: younger to middle-aged

Social background: all

Pop culture: Friends TV show

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