休止
kyūshi[kʲɨːɕi]
The English phrase "pause" can be translated into Japanese using several terms depending on the context, with the default form being 休止 (kyūshi). Wiktionary also lists 中断 (chūdan) and 休憩 (kyūkei).
Meaning: temporary stop or rest (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 休止 | kyūshi | [kʲɨːɕi] (narrow) |
| 中断 | chūdan | [t͡ɕɨːdã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 休憩 | kyūkei | [kʲɨːke̞ː] (narrow) |
For a technical temporary stop, such as pausing playback on a device, the term 一時停止 is used. If you are describing a more significant interruption or the suspension of a service or operation, use 中断.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 休止 is composed of 休, meaning rest or stop and 止, meaning stop or halt.
Which one should you use?
While 休止 refers to a general suspension or pause, 中断 implies a more significant interruption or a break in a continuous process, such as a service being suspended.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun 中断 as a verb meaning "to interrupt" or "to suspend", you must add the verb する to form 中断する.
How do you pronounce it?
kyūshi
Did you know?
- If you want to describe a 'pause' in conversation or a silence in speech, Japanese speakers often use the word 間, meaning 'space' or 'interval', rather than the terms for technical stops.
- The character 休 in 休止 is a pictograph of a person leaning against a tree, visually representing the concept of 'resting'.
- The kanji 断 in 中断 means 'to cut' or 'to sever', giving the word the nuance of an interruption that has physically sliced through a continuous flow.
Examples in context
- 話し言葉において、我々は言葉の中に休止を入れないが、あたかも分けられた言葉を聞いているようにそれらを明確に理解できることは、いくらか驚かされる事実である。In spoken language, we do not pause between words, a fact that is somewhat surprising. We seem to hear separate words, we can clearly make them out.This sentence illustrates the use of 休止 in the context of spoken language.Tatoeba #2458792 by Hirashiki, translation #2458791 by Hirashiki
- 申し訳ありません、少し待ってください。I'm sorry, please wait a moment.
- お休みください、疲れていますから。Please take a break, you seem tired.
- ちょっと待って、すぐ戻るから。Wait a moment, I'll be right back.
- ちょっと休憩しましょう、疲れたみんなにいいかも。Let's take a break, it might be good for everyone who is tired.
- 一時的な休止が必要だ。Ichijiteki na kyūshi ga hitsuyō da.A temporary pause is necessary.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a project that has been put on hold.
- 陽太 Yotaこのプロジェクトは今、休止状態です。Kono purojekuto wa ima, kyūshi jōtai desu.This project is currently in a state of pause.
- 美咲 Misakiそれは残念ですね。Sore wa zannen desu ne.That is too bad.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さん、また再開しましょう。Misaki-san, mata saikai shimashō.Misaki, let's restart it again later.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、楽しみにしています。Hai, tanoshimi ni shite imasu.Yes, I am looking forward to it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pause” translations and entries 休止, 中断, 休憩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 中断, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
