休养

• Pinyin: xiū yǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 休 = 人 + 木 (rest); 养 = 羊 + 食 (nourish/nurture)

Meaning

To rest and recuperate; to convalesce after illness, injury, or overwork.

Encompasses both physical rest and holistic recovery of strength and wellbeing. Also used in historical and political contexts (休养生息) to describe policies of allowing people to recover after hardship.

Examples

1. 医生建议他术后至少休养三个月，严格控制饮食和运动强度，避免过早劳累。 The doctor advised him to rest and recuperate for at least three months after surgery, strictly controlling his diet and exercise intensity to avoid overexertion.
2. 经过长期高强度工作，她利用年假在乡间小屋安静休养了两周，彻底恢复了精力。 After long-term, high-intensity work, she used her vacation to quietly recuperate in a country cottage for two weeks and fully regain her energy.
3. 战争结束后，政府推行休养生息的政策，减轻百姓负担，促进社会经济的全面恢复。 After the war ended, the government implemented policies to let the people rest and rebuild, easing their burdens and promoting a full social and economic recovery.

Usage Guide

Context: health, recovery, history, lifestyle

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 大病初愈后切忌操之过急，应遵照医嘱充分休养，循序渐进地恢复日常活动。(After recovering from a serious illness, do not rush; follow the doctor's instructions and recuperate fully before gradually resuming daily activities.)
• 他退休后选择在南方的疗养院休养，阳光充足的环境有助于他的身体康复与心情调适。(After retiring, he chose to recuperate at a convalescent home in the south, where ample sunlight supported both his physical recovery and emotional wellbeing.)

Don't Say

• 机器需要休养 — 休养 applies to living beings recovering health and energy; for machines use 维修 or 保养; equipment does not convalesce

Origin & History

休 (rest) + 养 (nourish/recover) — resting and nourishing the body back to health

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal