siu2 sik1小息

Jyutpingsiu2 sik1

Yalesíu sīk

名詞Common

Definition

Recess; a short break or rest, typically during school.

colloquialschooltime

How it's used

Primarily used in the context of primary and secondary school schedules to denote the short break between lessons. Unlike 休息, which is a general term for rest or taking a break from any activity, 小息 is specifically tied to the school environment. It is rarely used to describe taking a break from work or other adult activities.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

siu2小sik1息go2嗰zan6陣nei5你zou6做gan2緊me1咩aa3呀？

What were you doing during recess?

ngo5我hou2好soeng2想faai3快di1啲jau5有siu2小sik1息sik6食go3個baau1包。

I really want recess to come soon so I can eat a bun.

Common phrases

siu2小sik1息si4時gaan3間

recess time

fong3放siu2小sik1息

to have a recess

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use 小息 to mean taking a break from work or exercise, but it is almost exclusively reserved for school settings. For general breaks, use 休息 instead.