休み
yasumi[ja̠sɨmʲi]
Vacation in Japanese is 休み (yasumi). Wiktionary also lists 休暇 (kyūka) and バカンス (bakansu).
Meaning: period of leisure time (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 休み | yasumi | [ja̠sɨmʲi] (narrow) |
| 休暇 | kyūka | [kʲɨːka̠] (narrow) |
| バカンス | bakansu | [ba̠kã̠ɰ̃sɨ] (narrow) |
| ヴァカンス | vakansu | |
| バケーション | bakēshon |
In Japanese, several words express the concept of a vacation or a period of leisure time. You can use 休み to mean a vacation, a break or a day off. Specific types of vacations include 夏休み (summer vacation), 冬休み (winter vacation), 長期休暇 (long vacation) and 短期休暇 (short vacation).
Which one should you use?
The word 休み is the most common, versatile word for 'vacation', 'break' or 'day off'. 休暇 is a more formal term often used in official contexts, such as company leave or public holidays.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'to take a vacation', you use the verb phrase 休みを取る. To say 'to spend or take a vacation', you can also use 休暇を取る.
How do you pronounce it?
yasumi
Did you know?
- The English word 'vacation' has a distant cousin in the Japanese loanword バカンス (bakansu), which was borrowed from the French word 'vacance' rather than directly from English.
- Depending on the context, 休み (yasumi) can also mean a shop or business is closed for the day. If a sign says 休み, it does not mean the owner is on vacation, but that the store is not open.
- While バカンス (bakansu) comes from the French 'vacances', it is rarely used for domestic trips. In Japan, it almost exclusively describes a luxurious or long-term trip to Europe.
Examples in context
- 良い休みを。Have a good vacation.This sentence is useful for wishing someone a good break using 休み.Tatoeba #7929828 by Ninja, translation #7928254 by CK
- 休みは終わった。The vacation is over now.This sentence describes the end of a period of time using 休み.Tatoeba #48301 by KK_kaku_, translation #1809 by brauliobezerra
- 冬休み何日から？When does your winter vacation begin?This sentence asks about the start date of a specific winter break using 休み.Tatoeba #4661510 by tommy_san, translation #4662524 by CK
- 休暇を取る前に計画を立てましょう。Let's make a plan before taking a vacation.
- バカンスは家族との特別な時間です。Vacation is a special time with family.
- 大学の休みを利用して旅行に行く予定です。I plan to go on a vacation using my university break.
- 今年は10日間の休暇を取ります。I will take a 10-day vacation this year.
- 友達と旅行に行く休みをとったよ。I took some time off to go on a trip with friends.
- 168 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their upcoming spring break.
- 結衣 Yui次の休みはどこか行く？Tsugi no yasumi wa dokoka iku?Are you going anywhere for your next vacation?
- 蓮 Renまだ決まっていないよ。Mada kimatte inai yo.I haven't decided yet.
- 結衣 Yuiゆっくり休んでね。Yukkuri yasunde ne.Make sure to get some good rest.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、結衣。Arigatou, Yui.Thanks, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vacation” translations and entries 休み, 休暇, バカンス, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries バカンス, 休み, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
