Translation guide
The English word "recess" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: a break in school, a break in proceedings, an alcove or niche, and a remote or secret place. It also touches on the anatomical sense.
A break period during the school day for children to play, eat, or rest.
The most common and natural way to refer to a break between classes or a recess period in school. It literally means 'rest time'.
休み時間に外で遊んだ。
I played outside during recess.
A general word for a break or rest, used in many contexts including school. It can refer to a short break during work or study.
休憩時間に友達と話した。
I talked with friends during the break.
Refers to the end of the school day or dismissal, but can sometimes be used for a longer break. Less common for short recess periods.
放課後、クラブ活動がある。
After school, there are club activities.
A temporary pause or suspension in a meeting, court session, or formal event.
The standard word for a break or intermission in meetings, conferences, or work. It can be used for short breaks.
会議の途中で10分の休憩を取った。
We took a 10-minute recess in the middle of the meeting.
Specifically used for a court recess or adjournment. It is a legal term.
Means interruption or suspension. It can be used for a recess in a broader sense, but implies a more abrupt or temporary halt.
A small space set back from a room, such as a nook or an alcove in a wall.
A traditional Japanese alcove in a room, often used to display art or flowers. It is a specific architectural feature.
床の間に掛け軸が飾ってある。
A hanging scroll is displayed in the alcove.
A general word for a hollow, dent, or recessed area. It can describe a niche in a wall or a natural indentation.
A loanword from English, used in modern architecture or interior design. It is understood but less common than native terms.
A secluded, hidden, or inner part of something, often used figuratively.
Refers to a place deep inside or set back, often secluded. It can be used for physical locations or metaphorically.
森の奥まった所に小さな小屋があった。
There was a small hut in the recesses of the forest.
An adverb meaning 'deep inside' or 'in the depths'. Often used with places like forests, caves, or the mind.
洞窟の奥深くに進んだ。
We went deep into the recesses of the cave.
Means 'unexplored region' or 'hidden land'. It is more poetic and used for remote, mysterious places.
A small cavity or indentation in the body, such as a sinus or a recess in an organ.
A medical term for a recess or depression in an anatomical structure. Used in technical contexts.
この部分は解剖学的に陥凹と呼ばれる。
This part is anatomically called a recess.
A specific term for a fossa or pit in anatomy, such as the glenoid fossa. Very technical.
関節窩は骨のくぼみである。
The glenoid fossa is a recess in the bone.
休み時間 is specifically for scheduled breaks in a school or work timetable, while 休憩 is a more general term for any rest break. In a school context, 休み時間 is the most natural for 'recess'.
休み時間は15分です。
Recess is 15 minutes.
ちょっと休憩しましょう。
Let's take a short break.
The direct loanword リセス (risesu) is rarely used and may not be understood. Stick to the Japanese terms above depending on context.
The judge declared a recess.
話し合いは一時中断された。
The discussion was temporarily recessed.
I made a small shelf in the recess of the wall.
リビングのアルコーブにソファを置いた。
I placed a sofa in the living room alcove.
That hidden recess is not on the map.