How to say "relaxation" in Japanese

• リラックスCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe loanword for relaxing: use it when 'relaxation' means unwinding and easing tension, physical or mental, as in relaxing after work or on a holiday.
  その医者いしゃは手術しゅじゅつの前まえに患者かんじゃをリラックスさせた。↗

  The doctor made his patient relax before the operation.
• 慰安いあんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbRelaxation as solace — comfort that soothes the mind or heart. This is not an everyday way to say 'relax'; it appears chiefly in set expressions, so one of the other words is usually what you want.
• 休息きゅうそくJLPT N2approx.Common
  suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveRelaxation as rest: a pause from work or activity to recover, very close to English 'rest' or 'relief'. Use it when the point is simply resting rather than recreation.
  私わたしたちは昼ひるは働はたらき、夜よるは休息きゅうそくする。↗

  We work by day and rest by night.
• 休養きゅうようJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbRelaxation as recuperation: taking time off to restore health and energy when tired or run down. It covers restorative rest and recreation, fitting 'relaxation' that means a real break to recover.
  医者いしゃは彼かれに休養きゅうようするように命令めいれいした。↗

  His doctor ordered him to rest.
• 憩いいこいCommon
  no-adjectiveRelaxation as a quiet moment of repose or respite; the word has a gentle, peaceful feel, suiting talk of finding rest in a calm place or a brief pause in a busy day.

Pick 「リラックス」 for plain relaxing and unwinding, 休息 for rest from activity, 休養 for recuperation, 慰安 for solace (mostly in set phrases), and 「憩い」 for a gentle moment of repose.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• リラックスrelaxing
• 慰安いあんsolace
• 休息きゅうそくrest
• 休養きゅうようrest
• 憩いいこいrest
• 息抜きいきぬきtaking a breather
• 弛緩しかんrelaxation (e.g. of muscles)
• 気晴らしきばらしrecreation
• 楽らくcomfort
• 緩和かんわrelief
• リラクゼーションrelaxation
• 骨休めほねやすめrelaxation
• くつろぎease
• 気散じきさんじrecreation
• 洗濯せんたくrelaxation