休戦
kyūsen[kʲɨːsẽ̞ɴ]
The English word armistice is translated into Japanese as 休戦 (kyūsen).
The term 休戦 translates to "cease-fire" and is used in diplomatic or military contexts.
Meaning: (short) cessation of combat (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters 休 (rest/cease) and 戦 (war/battle).
Which one should you use?
The term 停戦 means "cease-fire" and is used in formal agreements to denote the end of armed conflicts. Additionally, the phrase 休戦協定 combines 休戦 (cease-fire) with 協定 (agreement).
How do you pronounce it?
kyūsen
Did you know?
- Unlike English where 'armistice' is a noun, the root 休 can be turned into a verb 休む meaning to sleep, take a day off or be absent from school.
- The character 戦 contains the radical for 'fight' 戈, an ancient weapon that looks like a spear or a halberd.
- In Japanese popular culture, the concept of a 'truce' or 休戦 is often used colloquially between arguing couples or friends to mean 'let's stop fighting for a moment'.
Examples in context
- 両国は戦争を終結させるために休戦協定に署名しました。The two countries signed an armistice to end the war.
- 短い休戦が戦災地域に一時的な平和をもたらしました。The brief armistice brought temporary peace to the war-torn region.
- 休戦協定Armistice agreement
- 一時的な休戦が成立した。Ichijiteki na kyūsen ga seiritsu shita.A temporary armistice has been established.
- 休戦の条件について話し合う。Kyūsen no jōken ni tsuite hanashiau.We will discuss the terms of the armistice.
- 休戦が決まって、人々は安堵した。Kyūsen ga kimatte, hitobito wa ando shita.The armistice was decided, and the people felt relieved.
Example conversation
Two history students are discussing a textbook in a library.
- 結衣 Yuiこの戦争の休戦はいつだっけ？Kono sensō no kyūsen wa itsu dakke?When was the armistice of this war?
- 陽太 Yota確か、1918年だったと思うよ。Tashika, sen kyūhyaku jūhachinen datta to omou yo.I think it was 1918, if I recall correctly.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くんは詳しいね。Yōta-kun wa kuwashii ne.You are very knowledgeable, Yota.
- 陽太 Yota歴史の授業で習ったからね。Rekishi no jugyō de naratta kara ne.Because I learned it in history class.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 休戦, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
