How to say “to rest” in Japanese

休む

やすむyasumu

verb (group 1, う-verb)JLPT N5Everyday verbs

The short answer

“To rest” in Japanese is 休む (やすむ), pronounced yasumu.

Pronunciation

The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:

How to use it

To rest, take a break or take a day off. 休み is a holiday or day off.

Example sentences

少し休みましょう。すこしやすみましょう。
Let’s take a short break.
今日は会社を休みます。きょうはかいしゃをやすみます。
I’m taking the day off work today.

Conjugation

The most useful forms of 休む. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.

Form	Japanese	Meaning
Dictionary (plain)	休むやすむ	rest
Polite present	休みますやすみます	rest
Polite negative	休みませんやすみません	don’t rest
Polite past	休みましたやすみました	past of “rest”
Plain negative (ない)	休まないやすまない	don’t rest (casual)
Plain past (た)	休んだやすんだ	past of “rest” (casual)
て-form	休んでやすんで	rest and… / please rest (+ください)
Want to (たい)	休みたいやすみたい	want to rest

Quick practice

Test yourself0/3

What does {{休む}} mean?
How do you read {{休む}}?
Which word means “to get off”?

乗るto get on 降りるto get off 決めるto decide 笑うto laugh 泣くto cry 登るto climb 飛ぶto fly 押すto push

FAQ

How do you say to rest in Japanese?

To rest in Japanese is 休む (やすむ), pronounced “yasumu”.

How do you write to rest in Japanese?

It's written 休む with kanji, or やすむ in hiragana. Both are read yasumu.

Is 休む on the JLPT?

Yes. 休む (yasumu) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.