休憩時間
kyūkei jikan
In Japanese, "break time" is 休憩時間 (kyūkei jikan).
The phrase refers to a short period of time during a workday or school day when people stop working to rest. Other related terms include コーヒーブレイク for "coffee break" and ランチタイム for "lunchtime". To indicate that someone or a shop is currently "on a break", use 休憩中.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 休憩時間 is composed of 休憩 (kyūkei), meaning 'rest' or 'break' and 時間 (jikan), meaning 'time'.
Which one should you use?
休憩時間 is typically used in professional or formal settings. In contrast, students use the more common term 休み時間 to refer to school breaks.
How do you pronounce it?
kyūkei jikan
Did you know?
- In Japanese offices, the concept of a 'break' is often tied to inemuri, the practice of napping while remaining upright or present. This is frequently seen as a sign of hard work rather than laziness.
- The word 休憩 uses the kanji 休, which is a pictograph showing a 'person' 人 leaning against a 'tree' 木.
- In a professional setting, instead of saying you are on a break, you might say you are 離席中 (riseki-chu), which literally means 'currently away from one's seat'.
Examples in context
- 映画が終わったら休憩しようLet's take a break after the movie finishes.
- ちょっと休憩してから続きをしましょうLet's take a little break before continuing.
- 休憩時間はいつですか？Kyūkei jikan wa itsu desu ka?When is the break time?
- 休憩時間は15分あります。Kyūkei jikan wa jūgo-fun arimasu.There is a 15-minute break time.
- 休憩時間は少し長いです。Kyūkei jikan wa sukoshi nagai desu.The break time is a little long.
Example conversation
Two coworkers are talking in the office.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さん、もう休憩時間ですよ。Youta-san, mou kyuukei jikan desu yo.Youta, it is already break time.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ！教えてくれてありがとう。Hontou da! Oshiete kurete arigatou.You're right! Thanks for telling me.
- 結衣 Yui一緒に昼ご飯を食べに行きませんか？Issho ni hirugohan o tabe ni ikimasen ka?Would you like to go eat lunch together?
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね。行きましょう。Ii desu ne. Ikimashou.That sounds good. Let's go.
