休憩|きゅうけいkyuukei[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbrest; break; recess; intermission
   休憩きゅうけいしてコーヒーを飲のもう。↗

   Let's take a break for coffee.

• Synonym休息きゅうそくWrittenWritten/formal: stopping work to let the body rest and recover. 「休憩」 is more specifically a short break taken partway through work or an activity.
• Synonym一休みひとやすみCasualColloquial: a short breather, as in 「ここで一休みしよう」. More casual than 「休憩」.
• Synonym息抜きいきぬきNeutralA break taken to unwind and refresh, as in 「息抜きに散歩する」; the point is relieving tension rather than resting the body.
• SynonymおやすみNeutralA day off or sleep; also said as 'good night'. Its range is much wider than 「休憩」, which is only a short break during an activity.
• Synonym憩ういこうWrittenWritten/formal verb for resting at ease, as in 「公園で憩う」; has a leisurely nuance.
• Synonym休みやすみNeutralThe broadest word: a rest, a holiday, or an absence. 「休憩」 refers only to a short break partway through work or an activity.
• Synonym休止きゅうしNeutralA suspension of activity, as in 「運転休止」; used mostly for machines and business operations, while the subject of 「休憩」 is a person.
• SynonymブレイクNeutralLoanword: a break, but also a rise to fame or a break in tennis, boxing, etc. In the rest sense it sounds casual and light.
• SynonymタイムNeutralLoanword for a time-out in a match, as in 「タイムを取る」; also simply means time.
• Synonym休めるやすめるNeutralTransitive verb: to let the body or hands rest, as in 「体を休める」; 「休憩」 is a noun.
• 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」; has a warm, soothing nuance.
• Synonym中休みなかやすみNeutralColloquial: a break in the middle of work; close to 「休憩」 in sense but more casual.
• Synonym小憩しょうけいWrittenWritten/formal: a brief rest. In everyday speech people say 「小休止」 or 「休憩」.
• Synonym息休めいきやすめCasualRare colloquial word for pausing to catch your breath partway through work; say 「一休み」 in everyday speech.
• Synonym骨休めほねやすめNeutralSetting work aside for a good rest, as in 「骨休めに温泉へ行く」; carries a nuance of treating yourself after hard work.
• Related休養きゅうようNeutralTime off from work to restore your energy, as in 「休養を取る」; not necessarily long. 「休憩」 is a brief pause in the middle of an activity.
• Related静養せいようNeutralResting quietly to recuperate, as in 「自宅で静養する」; usually due to illness, injury, or fatigue. 「休憩」 is only a short break.
• RelatedタイムNeutralLoanword for a time-out in a match, as in 「タイムを取る」; also simply means time.
• RelatedリラクゼーションNeutralLoanword for relaxation and easing tension; often heard in beauty and massage contexts.
• RelatedくつろぎWrittenWritten/formal: relaxed, comfortable unwinding, as in 「寛ぎの空間」; the emphasis is on a feeling of ease and comfort.
• Antonym労働ろうどうNeutralLabor or work, whether done with the body or the mind; the opposite of 「休憩」, which is stopping to rest.
• Antonym作業さぎょうNeutralWork or a task performed by hand or head; the opposite of 「休憩」.
• Antonym活動かつどうNeutralActivity or action; the opposite of 「休憩」, which is pausing to rest.

Use 「休憩」 for a short break in the middle of work or an activity. For an everyday rest, 「一休み」 or 「休み」 is more natural; 「息抜き」 is for unwinding and refreshing yourself; 「休養」 and 「静養」 are for taking time off to recover; 「タイム」 is a time-out in sports. The opposites are 「作業」 and 「労働」.

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

1. 仕事しごと・勉強べんきょう・運動うんどう・観劇かんげき・旅行りょこうなど一定時間いっていじかん続つづけていた行為こういを、一時いちじ中止ちゅうしして休やすむこと。