Translation guide
A break or pause during an event, performance, or activity. In Japanese, the most common word is 休憩 (kyuukei) for general breaks, but specific contexts like theater or concerts use different terms.
To express a pause or rest period during work, study, travel, or any ongoing activity.
The most common and versatile word for a break or rest. Used for coffee breaks, lunch breaks, or short rests during work or study.
10分間の休憩を取りましょう。
Let's take a 10-minute break.
休憩時間にコーヒーを飲んだ。
I had coffee during the break.
A more general term for rest or a day off. Can also mean a break in a schedule or a pause. Slightly less formal than 休憩.
ちょっと休みましょう。
Let's take a short break.
今日は休みです。
Today is a day off.
Literally 'one smoke', but often used for a short break, especially for tea or a cigarette. Casual.
一服しませんか。
Shall we take a short break?
To refer to the scheduled break between acts or parts of a performance.
Literally 'break time'. Commonly used in theaters and cinemas to announce the intermission.
ただいまより15分間の休憩時間です。
There will now be a 15-minute intermission.
Specifically refers to the interval between acts in a play or traditional theater (kabuki, noh). More formal and theatrical.
Loanword from English, used in some modern contexts like film festivals or international events. Not as common as native terms.
映画祭ではインターミッションが設けられています。
The film festival has an intermission.
To describe the pause between periods or halves in sports.
Standard term for half-time in soccer, rugby, etc.
ハーフタイムに選手はロッカールームに戻った。
The players returned to the locker room at half-time.
Can be used generically for any sports break, but ハーフタイム is more specific.
To indicate a temporary stop or hiatus in something ongoing, like a meeting, ceremony, or broadcast.
Means interruption or suspension. Used when something is temporarily halted, often due to external reasons.
会議は昼食のため中断された。
The meeting was adjourned for lunch.
放送が一時中断しました。
The broadcast was temporarily interrupted.
Means suspension or pause, often used for services or operations. More formal than 中断.
A short pause or breather, often used in speeches or performances. Literally 'small pause'.
休憩 (kyuukei) is a deliberate rest break, often short and scheduled. 休み (yasumi) is broader, covering days off, holidays, and general rest. 中断 (chuudan) implies an interruption or suspension, often unplanned or due to external factors.
While understood, インターミッション is not the default word for intermission. Use 休憩 or 休憩時間 for most situations.
20分間の休憩があります。
There will be a 20-minute intermission.
ハイキングの途中で少し休憩した。
We took a short intermission during the hike.
幕間にロビーでお待ちください。
Please wait in the lobby during the intermission.
試合の休憩は10分間です。
The game's intermission is 10 minutes.
The system is on pause for maintenance.
ここで小休止を入れましょう。
Let's take a short pause here.