Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'short break' depends on context: a brief pause during work or study, a short rest from physical activity, or a quick intermission. The most common and versatile word is 休憩 (きゅうけい), but other terms like 一休み (ひとやすみ) and 小休止 (しょうきゅうし) are used in specific situations.
To express taking a short pause to relax, often for a few minutes to an hour, in the middle of some continuous activity like work, study, or a meeting.
The most common and neutral term for a break or rest, typically used in work, school, or formal settings. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'take a break'. Often combined with 短い (みじかい) to emphasize 'short'.
Let's take a short break.
We'll take a 10-minute break.
A casual, warm expression for a short rest or breather. Often used when you want to relax for a moment. Implies a brief pause, often with a sense of relief. Commonly used with する.
Let's take a short break here.
A slightly formal term for a short pause or break, often used in meetings, presentations, or performances. It emphasizes a brief interruption before continuing.
We'll take a short break here.
A very common casual phrase meaning 'to rest a bit'. ちょっと implies a short duration. Can be used in many informal situations.
I'm tired, so let's take a short break.
Literally 'breathing out', this means a breather or a break to relieve stress. It implies a mental break or change of pace rather than just physical rest. Often used in the context of work or study.
I drink coffee as a short break.
To refer to a brief interval between parts of a performance, ceremony, or scheduled event, like a theater intermission or a break between classes.
Also used for scheduled breaks in events, such as intermissions during concerts or breaks between conference sessions.
The break time is 15 minutes.
Specifically refers to an intermission between acts of a play or performance. Literally 'between curtains'. Not used for general breaks.
To describe a brief pause to catch one's breath or recover during physical activity like sports, hiking, or manual labor.
Simple and direct. ちょっと indicates a short time. Suitable for casual physical activities.
We took a short break while climbing the mountain.
Literally 'one breath', meaning a short breather. Often used with 入れる (いれる) or つく. Implies a very brief pause to regain energy.
休憩 is the most general and can be used in almost any situation, from formal to casual. 一休み is casual and warm, often implying a relaxing break. 小休止 is formal and used for structured pauses in events or meetings.
The English phrase 'short break' is often translated directly as 短い休憩 (みじかいきゅうけい), but this can sound unnatural in Japanese. It's better to use a single word like 休憩 or 一休み, or add ちょっと to imply shortness.
I need a short break.
Let's take a short break before we continue.
I take a short break between work tasks.
幕間にロビーでお茶を飲んだ。
During the intermission, we had tea in the lobby.
Let's take a short breather and then continue.