休 – Rest, Vacation, Day Off (Kyu / Yasu Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 休.
Kanji 休 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
休 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 休日 (kyuujitsu – holiday) and 休憩 (kyuukei – break / recess).
Used in verbs and nouns such as 休む (yasumu – to rest) and 休み (yasumi – holiday / break).
休 Stroke Order – How to Write 休
休 is written with 6 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the person radical (亻) on the left side, followed by the tree radical (木) on the right side.
Common Words Using 休 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 休, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 休
See 休 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
きょうは会社を休みます。
きょうは かいしゃを やすみます。
Kyou wa kaisha o yasumimasu.
I will take a day off from work today.
ちょっと休憩しましょう。
ちょっと きゅうけいしましょう。
Chotto kyuukei shimashou.
Let's take a short break.
来週は夏休みです。
らいしゅうは なつやすみです。
Raishuu wa natsuyasumi desu.
Next week is summer vacation.
日曜日はいつも家で休みます。
にちようびは いつも いえで やすみます。
Nichiyoubi wa itsumo ie de yasumimasu.
I always rest at home on Sundays.
明日は祝日で休日です。
あしたは しゅくじつで きゅうじつです。
Ashita wa shukujitsu de kyuujitsu desu.
Tomorrow is a national holiday and a day off.
Frequently Asked Questions About 休
What does the Kanji 休 mean?
休 means rest, vacation, or day off. It is a fundamental JLPT N5 kanji combining the person radical (亻) and tree (木), representing a person leaning against a tree to rest.
What is the Onyomi reading of 休?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading of 休 is キュウ (kyuu), as in 休み (yasumi, break/holiday) and 休日 (kyuujitsu, holiday/day off).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 休?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) reading of 休 is やす (yasu), seen in verbs and adjectives like 休む (yasumu, to rest) and 休み (yasumi, rest/vacation).
How many strokes does 休 have?
休 is written with 6 strokes.
Is 休 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 休 is an essential JLPT N5 kanji used in everyday vocabulary relating to breaks, holidays, and taking time off.
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