jau1 sik1休息
Jyutpingjau1 sik1
Yaleyāu sīk
Definition
To rest or take a break in order to recover physically and mentally.
neutraldaily actionshealth
How it's used
While 休息 is standard and widely understood, it carries a slightly formal or neutral tone compared to the very common colloquial verb 抖. Use 休息 in professional contexts or when discussing health, whereas 抖 is the go-to choice for casual conversation with friends and family. It is common to add 陣 to soften the request, as in 休息陣.
Examples
You have been working all day, why don't you take a break?
You have been working so hard lately, when will you get a chance to rest?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 休息 to mean sleeping, but it specifically refers to taking a break from activity rather than the act of going to bed. Use 瞓覺 if you mean going to sleep.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
