休む|やすむyasumu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto be absent; to take a day off
- godan verb, intransitive verbto rest; to have a break
- godan verb, intransitive verbto go to bed; to (lie down to) sleep; to turn in; to retire
- godan verb, intransitive verbto stop doing some ongoing activity for a time; to suspend business
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 休む（やすむ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 休みます（やすみます） |
| Negative (nai) | 休まない（やすまない） |
| polite (masen) | 休みません（やすみません） |
| classical zu / nu | 休まず・休まぬ（やすまず・やすまぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 休んだ（やすんだ） |
| polite (mashita) | 休みました（やすみました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 休まなかった（やすまなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 休みませんでした（やすみませんでした） |
| Te form | 休んで（やすんで） |
| Potential | 休める（やすめる） |
| Passive | 休まれる（やすまれる） |
| Causative | 休ませる（やすませる） |
| Causative passive | 休ませられる・休まされる（やすませられる・やすまされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 休めば（やすめば） |
| tara | 休んだら（やすんだら） |
| Volitional | 休もう（やすもう） |
| polite (mashou) | 休みましょう（やすみましょう） |
| Imperative | 休め（やすめ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym憩ういこうWrittenWritten/formal prose: to rest or relax at leisure, as in 「公園で憩う」; has a comfortable, unhurried feel.
- Related休憩きゅうけいNeutralA short break partway through work or study, as in 「休憩時間」; unlike 「休む」, it does not cover being absent or taking leave.
- Related休息きゅうそくNeutralA neutral noun for stopping work and letting the body rest; the emphasis is on recovering physical strength.
- Related息抜きいきぬきCasualColloquial: taking a breather to relax and relieve tension; the focus is on easing strain.
- Related一休みひとやすみCasualColloquial for a short rest, as in 「ここで一休みしよう」; it suggests resting just a little while.
- Related休養きゅうようWrittenWritten/formal prose: recuperating over a fairly long period to restore one's energy, as in 「休養を取る」.
- Related静養せいようWrittenWritten/formal prose: resting quietly to recover, typically after an illness, as in 「自宅で静養する」; carries a convalescent nuance.
- Related休めるやすめるNeutralThe transitive counterpart of 「休む」: to let something such as the body or hands rest, as in 「体を休める」.
- Related休止きゅうしWrittenWritten/formal prose: a temporary halt of an activity, as in 「運転休止」; used for machines and activities, not for people resting.
- Related中休みなかやすみCasualColloquial: a break period in the middle of work or an activity; it can also mean a sunny spell during the rainy season.
- Related息つくいきつくCasualColloquial: to catch one's breath or heave a sigh of relief, as in 「ほっと息つく」; a momentary pause rather than a full rest.
- Antonym働くはたらくNeutralThe antonym of 「休む」: to work or labor.
For resting or taking leave, 「休む」 is the default choice. Use 「休憩」 or 「一休み」 for a short break, 「休養」 or 「静養」 for a longer recuperation, and 「息抜き」 to unwind. 「休める」 is the transitive form; 「働く」 is the antonym for working.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
