How to Say "Rest" in Cantonese

休息

jau1 sik1

The Cantonese word for rest is 休息 (jau1 sik1).

The term refers to relief from exertion or a state of quiet and recreation.

Meaning: relief from exertion, state of quiet and recreation (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

休息 is composed of 休, which means to rest or pause and 息, which means to breathe or rest.

By adding the particle 下 after 休息, you create the phrase 休息下, which means to rest for a short while or to take a quick rest.

jau1 sik1

The word 息 also appears in terms related to 'interest' in finance, suggesting that 'rest' or 'stillness' can imply a state where something settles or accumulates.
The character 息 originally depicted a heart under a nose, representing the breath that sustains life.
In Cantonese, 休息 is used for physical recovery, but the phrase 歇氣 is sometimes used to describe catching one's breath after an intense emotional outburst.

渠等話要休息。
They said that they needed a rest.
This sentence is useful for saying someone needs a rest with the word 休息.
Tatoeba #12073466 by thesilhouette, translation #7406595 by CH
你不如休息下啦！
I suggest that you rest for a while.
This sentence uses the phrase 休息下 to suggest resting for a while.
Tatoeba #12095738 by thesilhouette, translation #8285361 by CK
我需要休息一下。
I need to rest for a while.
不如我哋今日休假？
How about we take a day off today?
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two colleagues are talking during a coffee break.

俊傑 Chun Kit

你今次休息幾日？
nei5 gam1 ci3 jau1 sik1 gei2 jat6?
How many days of rest are you taking this time?
雅婷 Nga Ting

我休息三個禮拜。
ngo5 jau1 sik1 saam1 go3 lai5 baai3.
I'm taking three weeks of rest.
俊傑 Chun Kit

咁正！你去邊度玩？
gam3 zeng3! nei5 heoi3 bin1 dou6 waan2?
That's great! Where are you going for fun?
雅婷 Nga Ting

我諗住去日本休息下。
ngo5 nam2 zyu6 heoi3 jat6 bun2 jau1 sik1 haa5.
I'm thinking of going to Japan to get some rest.

Sources

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