休憩

• Reading: きゅうけい
• Romaji: kyuukei
• Kanji breakdown: 休 (kyū) — rest, pause; 憩 (kei) — repose, relax
• Pronunciation: /kjɯː.keː/

Meaning

Rest; break; intermission. A pause from work or activity to recover.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (休憩する). Used for short breaks during work, study, or travel. Common in everyday life: 休憩時間 (break time), 休憩室 (break room), 休憩所 (rest area/rest stop). More formal than 休み (day off/absence) and specifically implies a temporary pause, not a full stop.

Examples

1. 二時間勉強したので少し休憩しよう。 I studied for two hours, so let's take a short break.
2. 高速道路の休憩所でコーヒーを飲んだ。 I had some coffee at a rest stop on the highway.
3. 午後の休憩時間は十五分です。 The afternoon break is fifteen minutes.

Usage Guide

Context: work, school, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 休 (kyū, rest) and 憩 (kei, repose/relax). Together, 'resting in repose' — a deliberate pause for refreshment.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal