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| 休息 [2025/08/04 17:25] – created xiaoer | 休息 [2025/08/21 16:52] (current) – xiaoer |
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| ====== xiūxi: 休息 - To Rest, Take a Break ====== | ====== xiūxi: 休息 - To Rest, Take a Break ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** xiuxi meaning, what does xiuxi mean, rest in Chinese, take a break in Chinese, 休息, xiuxi pinyin, xiuxi vs shuijiao, Chinese characters for rest, HSK 1 vocabulary | * **Keywords:** xiuxi, xiūxi, 休息, how to say rest in Chinese, take a break in Chinese, rest day in Chinese, Chinese word for sleep vs rest, Chinese verb rest, HSK 1 vocabulary |
| * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **休息 (xiūxi)**, which means "to rest" or "take a break." This page breaks down the characters, explores its deep cultural significance like the Chinese "wǔxiū" (午休) or midday nap, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Discover the crucial difference between 休息 (xiūxi) and 睡觉 (shuìjiào - to sleep) to avoid common mistakes and sound more like a native speaker. | * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **休息 (xiūxi)**, which means "to rest" or "to take a break." This fundamental HSK 1 verb is crucial for everyday conversation, covering everything from a short 10-minute break at work to taking a day off. This guide breaks down the characters, explores the cultural importance of balancing work and rest in China, and provides 10 practical example sentences to help you use 休息 (xiūxi) naturally and accurately. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiūxi | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiū xī |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb (can also function as a noun, e.g., "a rest") | * **Part of Speech:** Verb |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 1 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 1 |
| * **Concise Definition:** To stop an activity in order to relax, sleep, or regain strength. | * **Concise Definition:** To rest; to take a break; to have a day off. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** 休息 is one of the most fundamental and high-frequency verbs in Chinese. It encompasses any action of ceasing work or effort to recover. This can be a five-minute coffee break, watching TV on the couch after work, or getting a full night's sleep. It's the universal concept of "taking a break." | * **In a Nutshell:** 休息 (xiūxi) is the go-to, all-purpose word for stopping an activity to recover your energy. It's a broad term that can mean sitting down for a few minutes, taking a nap, or even having a day off from work. It's less specific than "to sleep" and is one of the most common verbs you'll hear in daily Chinese life. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **休 (xiū):** This is a beautiful example of a pictographic character. It's composed of the radical for "person" (人, here in its variant form 亻) leaning against the character for "tree" (木). The image is simple and powerful: a person resting under a tree. | * **休 (xiū):** This is a beautiful example of a Chinese character as a picture (a phono-semantic compound). It's composed of the radical for "person" (人, here as 亻) next to the character for "tree" (木). It vividly depicts a person leaning against a tree to rest. |
| * **息 (xī):** This character is made of '自' (zì), which originally depicted a nose, and '心' (xīn), the heart. Together, they represent "breath" or "breathing." The idea is that when you breathe, your heart can be at ease. By extension, it means "to cease" or "to stop." | * **息 (xī):** This character is made of '自' (zì), which originally meant "nose," and '心' (xīn), meaning "heart." Together, they represent the breath (息) that comes from one's heart or chest. The meaning extends to ceasing or stopping. |
| Combining the two characters, **休息 (xiūxi)** literally means "to rest (休) and catch one's breath (息)." It paints a complete picture of stopping an activity to physically and mentally recover. | * **Combined Meaning:** The characters together—a person stopping by a tree (休) to catch their breath (息)—create a powerful and clear image of complete rest, both physically and mentally. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| The concept of 休息 is deeply embedded in Chinese life, reflecting a philosophy that values balance between work and recovery. | In Chinese culture, the concept of rest is deeply valued, encapsulated by the common idiom **劳逸结合 (láo yì jié hé)**, which means "to strike a balance between work and rest." While modern China is known for its intense work ethic (e.g., the "996" culture), the traditional and widely-held belief is that proper rest is not laziness but a necessary component for health, efficiency, and long-term success. |
| A key cultural practice is the **午休 (wǔxiū)**, or the midday rest/nap. Unlike in many Western office cultures where napping is frowned upon, in China, it's common and accepted for students and employees to take a short nap after lunch. Many offices dim the lights, and workers might sleep at their desks or on cots. This isn't seen as laziness but as a vital way to recharge for an efficient afternoon, a concept rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine's emphasis on balancing //yin// (rest) and //yang// (activity). | This contrasts with some aspects of Western "hustle culture," where taking a break can sometimes be perceived as a lack of drive. A very practical manifestation of this is the **午休 (wǔxiū)**, or midday nap. It is common for students and office workers in China to take a short nap after lunch, a practice far more institutionalized than in most Western countries. For Chinese, 休息 isn't just about stopping work; it's an active and essential part of a healthy, productive life. |
| This contrasts sharply with the "hustle culture" prevalent in places like the United States, where pushing through the afternoon slump with caffeine is often the norm. The Chinese ideal is better captured by the idiom **劳逸结合 (láo yì jié hé)**, which means "to strike a balance between work and rest." This highlights a cultural appreciation for rest not just as a necessity, but as an integral part of a productive and healthy life. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| 休息 is used constantly in daily conversation, from the office to the home. | 休息 is a versatile, neutral term used in almost any context, from formal to informal. |
| * **Suggesting a Break:** It's very common to tell a friend, family member, or colleague who looks tired to "休息一下" (xiūxi yíxià) - "take a little break." | * **Suggesting a break:** You'll often hear it used to tell someone to take it easy: "你太累了，**休息**一下吧。" (You're too tired, take a little break.) |
| * **Ending a Conversation:** Saying "不早了，早点休息吧" (bù zǎo le, zǎodiǎn xiūxi ba) - "It's getting late, rest early" - is a very standard and considerate way to say goodnight or end a late-night phone call or chat. | * **Stating your status:** To tell someone what you're doing: "别打扰我，我正在**休息**。" (Don't bother me, I'm resting right now.) |
| * **Stating Your Status:** If you don't want to be disturbed, you can simply say "我在休息" (wǒ zài xiūxi) - "I'm resting." | * **Referring to days off:** It's the standard way to talk about a day off from work or school: "我这个周末**休息**。" (I have this weekend off.) |
| * **Business Signage:** A small shop or restaurant taking a midday break might put up a sign that says **休息中 (xiūxi zhōng)**, meaning "On Break" or "Currently Resting." | * **Announcing a break:** In a group setting like a class or meeting: "我们**休息**十分钟。" (We'll take a ten-minute break.) |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| * 我太累了，需要**休息**一下。 | * 我太累了，想**休息**一下。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ tài lèi le, xūyào **xiūxi** yíxià. | * Pinyin: Wǒ tài lèi le, xiǎng **xiūxi** yíxià. |
| * English: I'm too tired, I need to take a little break. | * English: I'm too tired, I want to rest for a bit. |
| * Analysis: A very common and natural sentence. "一下 (yíxià)" softens the verb and implies a brief period of rest. | * Analysis: The use of `一下 (yíxià)` after the verb softens the action, indicating a short or casual period of rest. This is a very common and natural-sounding construction. |
| * **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| * 你看起来脸色不好，应该好好**休息**。 | * 你今天上班还是**休息**？ |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ kànqǐlái liǎnsè bù hǎo, yīnggāi hǎohāo **xiūxi**. | * Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān shàngbān háishì **xiūxi**? |
| * English: You don't look well, you should get some proper rest. | * English: Are you working today or are you off? |
| * Analysis: "好好 (hǎohāo)" means "properly" or "well." It emphasizes the need for a quality, restorative rest, not just a short break. | * Analysis: Here, `休息` is used as the direct opposite of `上班 (shàngbān)`, "to go to work." This is the standard way to ask if someone has a day off. |
| * **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| * 我们工作了三个小时了，**休息**十分钟吧。 | * 医生让我好好 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngzuò le sān ge xiǎoshí le, **xiūxi** shí fēnzhōng ba. | |
| * English: We've been working for three hours, let's take a ten-minute break. | |
| * Analysis: This shows how 休息 is used for scheduled, timed breaks in a work or study context. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 医生告诉他，这个星期要在家**休息**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Yīshēng gàosù tā, zhège xīngqī yào zài jiā **xiūxi**. | |
| * English: The doctor told him he has to rest at home this week. | |
| * Analysis: Here, 休息 refers to a longer period of convalescence or recovery from illness. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 已经很晚了，你早点**休息**吧。 | |
| * Pinyin: Yǐjīng hěn wǎn le, nǐ zǎodiǎn **xiūxi** ba. | |
| * English: It's already very late, you should get some rest soon. | |
| * Analysis: This is a classic, polite way to say goodnight. It's gentler and more caring than just saying "goodnight." | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 爸爸在书房**休息**，我们小声一点。 | |
| * Pinyin: Bàba zài shūfáng **xiūxi**, wǒmen xiǎo shēng yìdiǎn. | |
| * English: Dad is resting in the study, let's be a bit quieter. | |
| * Analysis: The "在 (zài) + Verb" structure indicates an ongoing action. He is in the process of resting right now. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 你昨天晚上**休息**得好吗？ | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ zuótiān wǎnshang **xiūxi** de hǎo ma? | |
| * English: Did you rest well last night? | |
| * Analysis: This uses the degree complement "得 (de)" to ask about the quality of the rest. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 我们的午餐**休息**时间是一个小时。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen de wǔcān **xiūxi** shíjiān shì yí ge xiǎoshí. | |
| * English: Our lunch break time is one hour. | |
| * Analysis: Here, 休息 functions as a noun, modifying "时间 (shíjiān)" to mean "rest time" or "break time." | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 这家店中午12点到1点**休息**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè jiā diàn zhōngwǔ shí'èr diǎn dào yī diǎn **xiūxi**. | |
| * English: This shop takes a break from 12 PM to 1 PM. | |
| * Analysis: Demonstrates how businesses communicate their break hours. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 跑完马拉松以后，我只想回家好好**休息**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Pǎo wán mǎlāsōng yǐhòu, wǒ zhǐ xiǎng huí jiā hǎohāo **xiūxi**. | |
| * English: After running the marathon, I just want to go home and have a good rest. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the deep need for rest after strenuous physical activity. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| The most common point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between 休息 and 睡觉 (shuìjiào). | |
| * **休息 (xiūxi) - To Rest (General)** vs. **睡觉 (shuìjiào) - To Sleep (Specific)** | |
| Think of 休息 as the broad category and 睡觉 as one specific activity within that category. You can 休息 by reading a book, watching TV, listening to music, or just sitting quietly. All sleeping (睡觉) is a form of resting (休息), but not all resting (休息) is sleeping (睡觉). | |
| * **Correct Usage:** 你累了，坐下来**休息**一下吧。 (Nǐ lèi le, zuò xiàlái **xiūxi** yíxià ba.) - You're tired, sit down and **rest** for a bit. (You are not necessarily telling them to sleep). | |
| * **Incorrect Usage:** 你累了，坐下来**睡觉**一下吧。 (Nǐ lèi le, zuò xiàlái **shuìjiào** yíxià ba.) - This is incorrect and sounds strange. It means "You're tired, sit down and **sleep** for a bit," which is usually not the intended meaning unless you're pointing to a bed. | |
| * **False Friend: "Holiday/Vacation"** | |
| While you certainly 休息 on vacation, the specific word for a holiday or vacation is **放假 (fàngjià)**. | |
| * **休息 (xiūxi):** Can refer to a day off. "我明天休息" (Wǒ míngtiān xiūxi) - "I'm off work tomorrow." | |
| * **放假 (fàngjià):** Refers to an official holiday period. "我们国庆节放假七天" (Wǒmen Guóqìngjié fàngjià qī tiān) - "We have a seven-day holiday for National Day." | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[睡觉]] (shuìjiào) - To sleep. A specific and very common way to 休息. | |
| * [[午休]] (wǔxiū) - Midday rest; lunch break; siesta. A culturally significant, scheduled 休息 period. | |
| * [[放假]] (fàngjià) - To be on holiday or vacation. A longer, official period of time off from work or school. | |
| * [[劳逸结合]] (láo yì jié hé) - An idiom meaning "to balance work and rest." The core philosophy behind healthy 休息. | |
| * [[打盹儿]] (dǎdǔnr) - To doze off, to nap. An informal term for a short, often unplanned, sleep. | |
| * [[下班]] (xiàbān) - To get off work. The daily event that allows for evening 休息. | |
| * [[疲劳]] (píláo) - Fatigue; tired. The physical or mental state that creates the need for 休息. | |
| * [[周末]] (zhōumò) - Weekend. The two days of the week typically designated for 休息. | |
| * [[休息室]] (xiūxishì) - Lounge; breakroom. A place specifically designed for people to 休息. | |
| * [[安息]] (ānxī) - To rest in peace. A formal, literary term used for the deceased. Note: Do NOT use this for a living person. | |