休止
kyūshi[kʲɨːɕi]
In Japanese, the word for 'pause' as a noun is 休止 (kyūshi). If unsure, use 休止. 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) |
休止 refers to a suspension or a rest. For a temporary stop or a 'pause' button on a media player, use 一時停止. For the act of interrupting or suspending a process, use 中断.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 休止 is composed of the characters for 'rest/stop' (休) and 'stop/cease' (止).
Which one should you use?
In contrast, 中断 implies an interruption that breaks the continuity of a flow or a sequence, often suggesting the process might be stopped or disrupted.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kyūshi
Did you know?
- In a formal speech, instead of saying 'pause', one might use 間 (ma), which refers to the concept of 'the space between' or 'the silence' that gives meaning to the words.
- The word 一時停止 is used for 'pause' on media players, but it is also the exact same term used for a 'stop' sign on the road.
- The character 休 in the word 休止 is a pictograph of a person leaning against a tree to rest.
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 is useful for illustrating how the noun 休止 is used in the context of spoken language.Tatoeba #2458792 by Hirashiki, translation #2458791 by Hirashiki
- 作業の休止を決定した。Sagyou no kyuushi o kettei shita.I decided to pause the work.
- 一時的な休止が必要です。Ichijiteki na kyuushi ga hitsuyou desu.A temporary pause is necessary.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are discussing a system update.
- 美咲 Misakiシステムの休止時間はいつですか？Shisutemu no kyūshi jikan wa itsu desu ka?When is the system downtime?
- 陽太 Yota明日の夜、一時的に休止します。Ashita no yoru, ichijiteki ni kyūshi shimasu.It will be paused temporarily tomorrow night.
- 美咲 Misaki了解です。準備しておきますね。Ryōkai desu. Junbi shite okimasu ne.Understood. I will be prepared.
- 陽太 Yotaよろしくお願いします。Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pause” translations and entries 休止, 中断, 休憩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
