休息
xiūxi
The English phrase 'break' is 休息 (xiūxi) in Mandarin.
休息 is used to mean rest or pause, usually from work.
Meaning: transitive: to separate into (to cause to end up in) two or more pieces (verb)
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse 休息 with 打破. While 休息 means to take a break or rest, use 打破 when you mean to physically break or smash an object.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that a break has already occurred or has finished, you can add 了 after 休息. In colloquial speech, adding 一下 after 休息 makes the request or statement sound more natural and less abrupt, similar to saying "take a quick break."
How do you pronounce it?
xiūxi
Did you know?
- The character 休 in 休息 is composed of a person radical next to a tree, literally representing a person leaning against a tree to rest.
- In Chinese culture, the concept of 休息 often involves a midday nap, which is a standard practice in many schools and offices to improve productivity.
- The word 息 originally referred to the sound of breathing, which connects the concept of breathing deeply to the act of resting.
Examples in context
- 休息一下吧。Take a break.This sentence is useful for suggesting that someone take a break.Tatoeba #14004679 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #2250035 by CK
- 我只想休息一下I just need a break.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal need for a break.Tatoeba #5975078 by zhangxr91, translation #2372801 by CK
- 是时候休息一下了。It's time for a break.This sentence is useful for stating that it is time to take a break.Tatoeba #10182741 by slo_oth, translation #1140084 by CK
- 请大家休息一下Please take a break, everyone.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xinyi and Zhiqiang are studying for an exam together.
- 欣怡 Xinyi我们休息十分钟吧。Wǒmen xiūxi shí fēnzhōng ba.Let's take a ten-minute break.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好主意，我也累了。Hǎo zhǔyì, wǒ yě lèi le.Good idea, I'm tired too.
- 欣怡 Xinyi休息完我们就继续。Xiūxi wán wǒmen jiù jìxù.We will continue after the break.
- 志强 Zhiqiang没问题，快休息吧。Méi wèntí, kuài xiūxi ba.No problem, let's take a break now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
