The common expressions
休息一下 (xiūxi yíxià)
休息一下 is the most common way to say “take a break” in Chinese. It’s a casual and widely used phrase in daily life.
e.g.
工作了一上午，休息一下吧。 (Gōngzuò le yī shàngwǔ, xiūxi yíxià ba.) You’ve worked all morning, take a break.
我们走了很远的路，找个地方休息一下吧。 (Wǒmen zǒu le hěn yuǎn de lù, zhǎo gè dìfāng xiūxi yíxià ba.) We’ve walked a long way, let’s find a place to take a break.
写完这篇文章，我们就休息一下吧。 (Xiě wán zhè piān wénzhāng, wǒmen jiù xiūxi yíxià ba.) Once we finish writing this article, let’s take a break.
The extended phrases to express “take a break” in Chinese
放松一下 (fàngsōng yíxià)
This phrase means “relax for a bit” and is often used when encouraging someone to take a break and loosen up.
e.g.
别那么紧张，放松一下。 (Bié nàme jǐnzhāng, fàngsōng yíxià.) Don’t be so nervous, relax a little.
你最近工作压力大，应该放松一下。 (Nǐ zuìjìn gōngzuò yālì dà, yīnggāi fàngsōng yíxià.) You’ve been stressed at work recently, you should take a break and relax.
考完试后，放松一下吧！ (Kǎo wán shì hòu, fàngsōng yíxià ba!) After the exam, take a break and relax!
喘口气 (chuǎn kǒu qì)
喘口气 means “catch your breath” and is used when someone needs a short break after physical or mental exertion.
e.g.
跑了一圈后，停下来喘口气吧。 (Pǎo le yī quān hòu, tíng xiàlái chuǎn kǒu qì ba.) After running a lap, stop and catch your breath.
你忙了一天了，坐下来喘口气吧。 (Nǐ máng le yī tiān le, zuò xiàlái chuǎn kǒu qì ba.) You’ve been busy all day, sit down and take a breather.
我们爬山爬得太累了，找个地方喘口气吧。 (Wǒmen páshān pá de tài lèi le, zhǎo gè dìfāng chuǎn kǒu qì ba.) We’re exhausted from hiking, let’s find a place to catch our breath.
暂停一下 (zàn tíng yíxià)
This phrase means “stop for a moment” or “pause.” It’s used when you want to take a brief pause during an activity.
e.g.
我们先暂停一下，过会儿再继续。 (Wǒmen xiān zàntíng yíxià, guò huǐr zài jìxù.) Let’s stop for a moment and continue later.
你写了这么久，暂停一下休息吧。 (Nǐ xiě le zhème jiǔ, zàntíng yíxià xiūxi ba.) You’ve been writing for so long, take a break.
可以暂停一下吗？我累了。 (Kěyǐ zàntíng yíxià ma? Wǒ lèi le.) Can we stop for a moment? I’m tired.
缓一缓 (huǎn yī huǎn)
缓一缓 means “take it easy” or “slow down” and is used when someone needs to take things slowly or recover before continuing.
e.g.
别急，先缓一缓。 (Bié jí, xiān huǎn yī huǎn.) Don’t rush, take it easy first.
我们走得太快了，停下来缓一缓吧。 (Wǒmen zǒu de tài kuài le, tíng xiàlái huǎn yī huǎn ba.) We walked too fast, let’s stop and take it easy.
你生病了，要缓一缓再上班。 (Nǐ shēngbìng le, yào huǎn yī huǎn zài shàngbān.) You’re sick, take it easy before going back to work.
歇一会儿 (xiē yí huìr)
歇一会儿 means “rest for a while” or “take a short rest.” It’s commonly used to suggest taking a brief break.
e.g.
我们休息一下，歇一会儿再继续工作。 (Wǒmen xiūxi yīxià, xiē yí huìr zài jìxù gōngzuò.) Let’s take a break and rest for a while before continuing to work.
你先歇一会儿，别太累了。 (Nǐ xiān xiē yí huìr, bié tài lèi le.) You should rest for a while, don’t overexert yourself.
走得累了吧？歇一会儿再走吧。 (Zǒu de lèi le ba? Xiē yí huìr zài zǒu ba.) Are you tired from walking? Let’s rest for a while before continuing.
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