休息・休足|きゅうそくkyuusoku[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
休息休息 is the more common written form and the recommended default for beginners. Use it when writing the Japanese word for rest, relief, or relaxation.
休足休足 is a less common written form than 休息. Recognize it as a variant, but choose 休息 when you need a dependable choice as a beginner.
Definitions
- suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiverest; relief; relaxation
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 休息する（きゅうそくする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 休息します（きゅうそくします） |
| Negative (nai) | 休息しない（きゅうそくしない） |
| polite (masen) | 休息しません（きゅうそくしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 休息せず・休息せぬ（きゅうそくせず・きゅうそくせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 休息した（きゅうそくした） |
| polite (mashita) | 休息しました（きゅうそくしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 休息しなかった（きゅうそくしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 休息しませんでした（きゅうそくしませんでした） |
| Te form | 休息して（きゅうそくして） |
| Potential | 休息できる（きゅうそくできる） |
| Passive | 休息される（きゅうそくされる） |
| Causative | 休息させる（きゅうそくさせる） |
| Causative passive | 休息させられる（きゅうそくさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 休息すれば（きゅうそくすれば） |
| tara | 休息したら（きゅうそくしたら） |
| Volitional | 休息しよう（きゅうそくしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 休息しましょう（きゅうそくしましょう） |
| Imperative | 休息しろ（きゅうそくしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym休憩きゅうけいNeutralA short break partway through work or an activity, as in 「休憩時間」; 「休息」 stresses restoring body and mind from fatigue.
- Synonym休みやすみNeutralThe most colloquial of the group: rest, but also holidays and absence from work or school; 「休息」 leans written and stresses relieving fatigue.
- Synonym休養きゅうようNeutralStopping work to rebuild one's energy, as in 「休養を取る」; 「休息」 stresses resting to relieve fatigue.
- Synonym休めるやすめるNeutralTransitive verb for letting the body or mind rest, as in 「目を休める」; 「休息」 is a noun.
- SynonymブレイクNeutralLoanword for a break between tasks, as in 「コーヒーブレイク」; also means suddenly becoming popular.
- Synonym一休みひとやすみNeutralA brief rest, common in everyday speech; 「休息」 leans written.
- Synonym憩いいこいWrittenNoun for rest and relaxation, often in 「憩いの場」 or 「憩いのひととき」; 「休息」 stresses recovery.
- Synonym息抜きいきぬきNeutralA breather that frees you from tension for a while, as in 「息抜きに散歩」; 「休息」 stresses restoring your energy.
- RelatedおやすみNeutralPolite term for time off or a holiday, also used to say good night; 「休息」 is the more written word.
- Related憩ういこうWrittenWritten word for relaxing in a comfortable spot, as in 「公園で憩う」; 「休息」 stresses recovering from fatigue.
- Related静養せいようNeutralQuiet recuperation while ill, injured, or worn out, as in 「自宅で静養」; 「休息」 is rest in the general sense.
- Related養生ようじょうNeutralTaking care of one's health or convalescing after illness; also protective covering at construction sites. 「休息」 is ordinary rest.
- RelatedリラックスNeutralLoanword for relaxing and letting go of tension, common in speech; 「休息」 stresses stopping to rest.
- Related安らうやすらうWrittenArchaic literary word for resting; rare in modern Japanese — say 「休む」 in everyday speech.
- Related中休みなかやすみNeutralA pause partway through work or even the rainy season, as in 「梅雨の中休み」; 「休息」 is not limited to mid-way breaks.
- RelatedリラクゼーションNeutralLoanword for relaxing body and mind, often seen in the names of massage shops; 「休息」 is the more general word.
- RelatedくつろぎNeutralRelaxing freely, without restraint, as in 「寛ぎの空間」; 「休息」 stresses relieving fatigue.
- Related小憩しょうけいWrittenWritten word for a brief rest; in daily conversation say 「一休み」.
- Related息休めいきやすめNeutralCatching one's breath with a short rest; in everyday use 「息抜き」 is more common.
- Related骨休めほねやすめNeutralRelaxing and treating yourself after work or labor, as in 「温泉で骨休め」.
- Antonym労働ろうどうNeutralAntonym on the work-versus-rest axis: labor, working with one's body or mind.
- Antonym活動かつどうNeutralAntonym in terms of motion versus stillness: activity, being on the move.
- Antonym作業さぎょうNeutralAntonym on the work-versus-rest axis: tasks, hands-on work.
Use 「休息」 for rest that relieves fatigue. For a break between work or activities, pick 「休憩」; in speech, 「休み」 or 「一休み」. For taking time off to recover, 「休養」; for a breather, 「息抜き」. Antonyms: 「労働」, 「作業」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
