Abstract: A portable work apparatus is designed as a vacuum and/or blower. It includes a housing (2) and a drive motor (3) arranged in the housing (2). A fan (4) has a spiral housing (5) and a fan wheel (6) arranged in the spiral housing (5). The spiral housing (5) has a housing section (8) which forms a first intake opening (9) of the fan (4). The fan wheel (6) has a first wall section (10) which forms a second intake opening (12) of the fan wheel (6). A gap seal (15) is formed between the housing section (8) of the spiral housing (5) and the first wall section (10) of the fan wheel (6). At least one air guide element (16) for generating a swirl zone (30) is formed in the gap seal (15).