Translation guide
How to express taking a break in Japanese, from casual pauses to formal leave.
To stop an activity briefly to rest, often during work or study.
The most common and neutral way to say 'take a break'. Suitable for work, study, or any activity.
ちょっと休憩しましょう。
Let's take a short break.
10分休憩した。
I took a 10-minute break.
Literally 'take one rest'. Casual and friendly, often used for a quick break.
ここで一休みしよう。
Let's take a break here.
General verb for 'rest' or 'take a break'. Can also mean 'to be absent' (from school/work).
少し休んだほうがいいよ。
You should take a break for a bit.
Loanword from English, used in casual contexts like 'coffee break'.
コーヒーブレイクしよう。
Let's take a coffee break.
To take time off from work, school, or daily responsibilities, like a vacation or leave.
Standard phrase for taking a vacation or leave from work.
来週、休暇を取ります。
I'm taking a vacation next week.
More general than 休暇, can mean a day off or a break from routine.
明日は休みを取った。
I took the day off tomorrow.
Means 'to refresh oneself', often used when taking a break to recharge.
たまにはリフレッシュが必要だ。
Sometimes you need to take a break and refresh.
To pause an ongoing activity, like a game, conversation, or task.
Means 'to interrupt' or 'suspend'. Used for pausing an activity temporarily.
作業を中断して、休憩しよう。
Let's take a break from work and rest.
To reach a stopping point or take a break after finishing a segment of work.
ここで一区切りつけよう。
Let's take a break here (at this milestone).
To distance oneself temporarily from a person or situation.
Literally 'put distance'. Used for taking a break from a relationship or situation.
彼とは少し距離を置いている。
I'm taking a break from him for a while.
Formal term for suspending or pausing something, like a project or relationship.
交際を休止することにした。
We decided to take a break from our relationship.
休憩 (きゅうけい) is a short break during an activity. 休み (やすみ) is a general rest or day off. 休暇 (きゅうか) is a formal vacation or leave from work.
昼休みは12時からです。
Lunch break is from 12 o'clock.
夏休みに旅行に行く。
I'm going on a trip during summer vacation.
The phrase 'take a break' doesn't have a single direct equivalent. Using 休憩する is safe for most short breaks, but context matters. Avoid literal translations like ブレークを取る, which sounds unnatural.