Translation guide
The English word "rest" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese, including physical relaxation, taking a break, the remainder of something, and leaning an object against something. The most natural Japanese expression depends heavily on the specific meaning.
To relax one's body or mind, not necessarily sleeping.
General verb for resting, taking a break, or being absent from work/school.
Let's rest a little.
I'm resting at home today.
More formal noun for rest or repose, often used in written or formal contexts.
Adequate rest is necessary.
Common phrase meaning to take it easy, relax, or rest at leisure.
I want to rest at home on the weekend.
To take a short rest or break, often during work or travel.
Shall we take a rest here?
A short interruption of activity to rest.
Resting by sleeping or lying down, often for health reasons.
The remaining part of something.
Noun meaning remainder, rest, or leftover.
I'll pay the rest of the money tomorrow.
Means 'the rest' in the sense of 'the others' or 'and so on', often for people or items.
Can mean remainder, but often implies surplus or excess. Less common for 'the rest' in neutral contexts.
To place something so it is supported against something else.
Transitive verb: to lean something against something else.
I rested the ladder against the wall.
To lean something against something, often with a sense of letting it rest there.
General verb 'to put/place'. Can be used for resting an object on a surface, but not specifically leaning.
Euphemism for death or the afterlife.
English 'take a rest' is often translated as 休憩を取る (kyūkei o toru) or 休む (yasumu), but 休みを取る (yasumi o toru) usually means 'take a day off'. Be careful with the particle and noun combination.
休む (yasumu) is the general verb 'to rest'. 休憩 (kyūkei) is a noun for a short break. 休息 (kyūsoku) is a more formal noun for rest/repose. Use 休憩 for coffee breaks, 休息 for medical or formal rest.
The rest of the story is boring.
Rest the bike against the fence.
The rest break is 15 minutes.
ちょっと休みにしよう。
Let's take a short rest.
Please put the rest in the fridge.
その他の人はここで待ってください。
The rest of the people, please wait here.
I cleaned in the rest of the time.
He rested his head against the sofa.
Please rest your cup on the table.