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A1 verb #1,500 am häufigsten 6 Min. Lesezeit

やすむ

yasumu
At the A1 level, 'yasumu' is one of the first verbs you learn. It is used to express simple needs like 'I want to rest' (yasumitai) or 'I am taking a break'. You learn it as a basic action verb. At this stage, focus on the polite form 'yasumimasu' and the greeting 'Oyasumi nasai'. You should be able to say you are absent from school or work using the 'wo' particle. The concept is very concrete: stopping an activity because you are tired or because it is a holiday. You might use it in simple sentences like 'Chotto yasumimasu' (I'll rest a bit) when walking with friends. It's essential for basic survival Japanese, especially when you need to express fatigue or illness.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'yasumu' in more complex sentence structures, such as using 'node' or 'kara' to give reasons. 'Kaze wo hiita node, yasumimasu' (I'll rest because I caught a cold). You also start to understand the noun form 'yasumi' (holiday/break) and how it functions in sentences like 'Ashita wa yasumi desu' (Tomorrow is a holiday). You learn the 'te-form' (yasunde) to make requests: 'Yukkuri yasunde kudasai' (Please rest well). You also distinguish between 'yasumu' and 'neru' more clearly, realizing that 'yasumu' is the appropriate word to use with your boss or teacher when you cannot attend a commitment.
At the B1 level, you use 'yasumu' to describe more abstract breaks. For example, 'SNS wo yasumu' (Taking a break from social media) or 'Kankei wo yasumu' (Taking a hiatus from a relationship). You understand the potential form 'yasumeru' (can rest) and the passive/causative forms, though they are less common for this specific verb. You can discuss the cultural implications of 'yasumu' in Japan, such as the difficulty of taking long vacations. You also start to use compound words like 'yasumi-jikan' (break time) and understand the difference between 'yasumu' and 'kyuukei', using 'kyuukei' for structured breaks and 'yasumu' for general recovery.
At the B2 level, you are comfortable with the various registers of 'yasumu'. You know that in a highly formal business email, you might use 'kyuuka' or 'kesseki', but in a spoken conversation with a manager, 'yasumu' is still perfectly acceptable. You understand idiomatic uses and how 'yasumu' fits into broader discussions about work-life balance in Japan. You can use the verb in conditional sentences: 'Moshi yasumitakereba, hayame ni itte kudasai' (If you want to take a day off, please tell me early). You also recognize the kanji 休 in various compounds like 休日 (kyuujitsu - holiday) and 定休日 (teikyuubi - regular closing day).
At the C1 level, you appreciate the philosophical and literary nuances of 'yasumu'. You might encounter it in literature to describe the 'resting' of the wind or the 'stillness' of a heart. You understand its role in set phrases and can use it to describe a 'hiatus' in a professional career or a 'pause' in a musical performance. You can articulate the difference between 'yasumu' and more specific verbs like 'ikou' (to relax) or 'kutsurogu' (to make oneself at home). Your usage is precise, and you can navigate the social delicacy of asking for 'yasumi' in a high-pressure Japanese corporate environment using appropriate keigo (honorifics).
At the C2 level, 'yasumu' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can discuss the etymology of the kanji (the person and the tree) and how it reflects ancient Japanese values. You can use the verb in complex rhetorical structures or when debating social issues like 'work-style reform' (hatarakikata kaikaku). You understand the historical shift in how 'yasumu' has been perceived—from a natural part of the agricultural cycle to a contested right in the modern industrial era. You can effortlessly switch between 'yasumu' and its most formal Sino-Japanese counterparts (kango) depending on the audience, and you might even use it in wordplay or advanced metaphors in creative writing.
Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

やすむ in 30 Sekunden

  • Core meaning: To rest, take a break, or be absent from work/school.
  • Kanji: 休 (Person 人 leaning against a tree 木).
  • Grammar: Godan verb; use 'wo' for the place you are absent from.
  • Common phrase: 'Oyasumi nasai' means 'Goodnight'.

The Japanese verb やすむ (休む - Yasumu) is a foundational pillar of the Japanese language, primarily categorized at the JLPT N5 and CEFR A1 levels. At its core, it signifies the cessation of activity to recover energy or the act of being absent from a scheduled commitment. However, its semantic range is surprisingly broad, encompassing everything from a five-minute breather to a long-term leave of absence. In the Japanese worldview, 'yasumu' isn't just about laziness; it is a necessary component of the 'on/off' (hare and ke) cycle of life. When you use 'yasumu', you are often describing a state of non-action that is sanctioned by social or physical needs.

Physical Rest
The most direct meaning is to let the body recover. This includes sitting down after a walk or taking a nap.
Absence
Crucially, it means to not attend school (gakkou wo yasumu) or work (kaisha wo yasumu). This is a transitive use of the verb.
Sleep
In polite contexts, 'oyasumi nasai' (please rest) is the standard way to say goodnight, linking resting with the act of sleeping.

ちょっとやすみましょう。 (Chotto yasumimashou.)

— Let's rest for a bit.

To understand 'yasumu', one must look at the Kanji character 休. It is composed of two parts: 人 (person) and 木 (tree). This pictograph literally depicts a person leaning against a tree to rest. This visual mnemonic perfectly captures the essence of the word: finding a place of stillness amidst nature or work. In modern society, this 'tree' might be a park bench, a sofa, or simply the act of turning off one's smartphone. The word carries a nuance of 'recharging' rather than just 'stopping'.

風邪で学校をやすみました。 (Kaze de gakkou wo yasumimashita.)

— I was absent from school due to a cold.

Furthermore, 'yasumu' extends into the realm of mental health and social obligations. In a culture often criticized for 'karoshi' (overwork), the act of 'yasumu' is a vital topic of conversation. Using the word correctly involves understanding when it is a request for permission versus a statement of fact. For instance, 'yasumitai desu' (I want to rest) is a personal desire, while 'yasumimasu' (I will rest/be absent) is a declaration of intent. The verb is a Godan verb (Type 1), meaning its conjugation follows the -u to -i pattern (yasumu -> yasumimasu).

ゆっくりやすんでください。 (Yukkuri yasunde kudasai.)

— Please rest well / take your time resting.
Temporal Usage
It can describe a temporary break (kyuukei) or a long-term hiatus (kyuushoku).
Social Usage
Used in greetings like 'Oyasumi' (Goodnight) or 'Oyasumi-ake' (The period after a long holiday).

Using やすむ correctly requires a grasp of its grammatical flexibility. As a Godan verb ending in 'mu', its te-form is やすんで (yasunde) and its past tense is やすんだ (yasunda). This 'mu' to 'nde' transition is a key marker for this verb group. When you want to suggest a break, you use the volitional form 'yasumou' or the polite 'yasumimashou'.

The 'Wo' Particle
Use 'Place/Event + wo + yasumu' to indicate absence. Example: 'Kaisha wo yasumu' (To take a day off work).
The 'Ni' Particle
While less common for the act of resting itself, 'ni' can be used with the noun form 'yasumi ni suru' (to decide to take a break).

In a professional setting, 'yasumu' is often replaced by more formal nouns like 'kyuuka' (vacation) or 'kesseki' (absence), but the verb 'yasumu' remains the most versatile. If you are feeling unwell, you would say 'Karada no choushi ga warui node, yasumimasu' (I will rest because I don't feel well). Note that 'yasumu' implies a return to activity; it is a temporary state.

明日、仕事をやすんでもいいですか。 (Ashita, shigoto wo yasunde mo ii desu ka?)

— May I take tomorrow off work?

For learners, the most common confusion is between 'yasumu' and 'neru'. While 'neru' specifically means to lie down or go to sleep, 'yasumu' is broader. You can 'yasumu' while sitting in a chair, but you usually 'neru' in a bed. If you tell your boss you are going to 'neru', it sounds like you are going to sleep on the job! Always use 'yasumu' for taking a break or being absent.

You will encounter やすむ in almost every facet of Japanese life. In schools, teachers take attendance and note who is 'yasumi' (the noun form). In offices, the morning meeting (chourei) might include an announcement that 'Tanaka-san wa kyou yasumu sou desu' (I heard Tanaka-san is taking today off). On the streets, you might see signs for shops that say 'Honjitsu Kyugyo' (Closed today), which is the formal, written cousin of 'yasumu'.

「おやすみなさい。」 (Oyasumi nasai.)

— Goodnight (Standard phrase).

On television, news anchors might talk about 'renkyuu' (consecutive holidays) where the whole country 'yasumu' at once, such as during Golden Week. In sports, a coach might tell an exhausted player to 'yasume!' (Rest!). It is also a common term in medical settings, where a doctor will advise 'Kyou wa yukkuri yasunde kudasai' (Please rest well today).

The most frequent error is the yasumu vs. neru distinction. Learners often say 'yasumitai' when they mean they are sleepy and want to go to bed. While 'yasumu' can imply sleep, 'neru' is the specific action of sleeping. Another mistake is the misuse of particles. Beginners often use 'kara' (from) when they should use 'wo' for being absent from a place. It's 'Gakkou wo yasumu', not 'Gakkou kara yasumu'.

Another nuance is the difference between 'yasumu' and 'kyuukei suru'. 'Kyuukei' is specifically a short break during a task (like a 15-minute coffee break). 'Yasumu' is more general. If you use 'yasumu' for a tiny break, it might sound like you are stopping for the day. Finally, remember that 'yasumu' is a verb, while 'yasumi' is the noun. Don't say 'Kyou wa yasumu desu'; say 'Kyou wa yasumi desu' (Today is a holiday) or 'Kyou wa yasumimasu' (I will rest today).

To enrich your vocabulary, compare やすむ with its synonyms. 休憩する (Kyuukei suru) is used for short breaks during work or study. 欠席する (Kesseki suru) is the formal term for being absent from a meeting or class. 休暇を取る (Kyuuka wo toru) means to take a formal vacation or leave.

眠る (Nemuru)
To be in a state of sleep (physiological).
サボる (Saboru)
To skip or slack off (slang). Use this if you are 'yasumu' without a good reason!

In a more poetic or literary sense, you might see 憩う (Ikou), which means to relax or find recreation in a pleasant place. However, for 99% of daily interactions, 'yasumu' is your go-to word. Understanding these subtle differences helps you sound more natural and precise in your Japanese communication.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

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Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

ちょっとやすみます。

I will rest for a bit.

Polite present tense of yasumu.

2

学校をやすみました。

I was absent from school.

Past tense with direct object 'wo'.

3

おやすみなさい。

Goodnight.

Set phrase for bedtime.

4

どこでやすみますか。

Where will you rest?

Question form with 'doko'.

5

あしたはやすみです。

Tomorrow is a holiday.

Using the noun form 'yasumi'.

6

ここでやすみましょう。

Let's rest here.

Volitional 'mashou' form.

7

やすみたいです。

I want to rest.

Desiderative 'tai' form.

8

５分やすみます。

I will rest for five minutes.

Time duration + verb.

1

風邪をひいたので、仕事をやすみます。

Since I caught a cold, I will take off work.

Using 'node' to give a reason.

2

ゆっくりやすんでください。

Please rest well.

Te-form + kudasai for a polite request.

3

昨日は一日中やすんでいました。

I was resting all day yesterday.

Te-iru form in the past tense.

4

やすむ前に、お茶を飲みます。

Before I rest, I will drink tea.

Verb dictionary form + mae ni.

5

日曜日はいつもやすんでいます。

I am always resting on Sundays.

Habitual state using te-iru.

6

足が痛いから、少しやすみたい。

Because my legs hurt, I want to rest a little.

Casual 'kara' + 'tai' form.

7

やすみの日には何をしますか。

What do you do on your days off?

Noun 'yasumi' modifying 'hi'.

8

あまりやすまないでください。

Please don't rest too much.

Negative te-form + kudasai.

1

最近、忙しすぎてやすむ暇がありません。

Lately, I'm so busy I have no time to rest.

Verb modifying the noun 'hima' (leisure time).

2

一週間ほど仕事をやすむことにしました。

I have decided to take about a week off work.

Koto ni suru (decide to do).

3

彼は病気で一ヶ月も学校をやすんでいる。

He has been absent from school for as long as a month due to illness.

Particle 'mo' emphasizing a large amount.

4

心をやすめるために、音楽を聴きます。

I listen to music to rest my mind.

Transitive potential/causative nuance 'yasumeru'.

5

やすまずに働き続けるのは良くないです。

It is not good to keep working without resting.

Zu ni (without doing).

6

ちょっとやすめば、元気になりますよ。

If you rest a bit, you'll feel better.

Conditional 'ba' form.

7

彼はやすむと言ったのに、まだ働いている。

Even though he said he would rest, he is still working.

Noun 'noni' (despite).

8

しっかりやすむことが大切です。

It is important to rest thoroughly.

Nominalizing the verb with 'koto'.

1

プロジェクトが終わったら、まとめてやすむつもりだ。

Once the project is over, I intend to take a long break.

Tsumori (intention).

2

十分なやすみを取らないと、効率が下がります。

If you don't take sufficient rest, efficiency will drop.

Conditional 'to' for natural consequences.

3

彼は理由もなく仕事をやすむような人ではない。

He is not the kind of person who would skip work without a reason.

Noun + you na (the kind of...).

4

体をやすめるのも仕事のうちですよ。

Resting your body is also part of the job.

X no uchi (part of X).

5

やすみたくてもやすめない状況なんです。

It's a situation where I can't rest even if I want to.

Tai-form + temo + potential negative.

6

彼は一学期の間、ずっと大学をやすんでいた。

He was absent from university throughout the entire first semester.

Aida (during/while).

7

たまには自分を甘やかして、ゆっくりやすもう。

Once in a while, let's pamper ourselves and rest well.

Volitional form 'yasumou'.

8

やすむ暇もないほど忙しい日々が続いている。

Busy days continue to the point where there's no time to rest.

Hodo (to the extent that).

1

過労で倒れる前に、勇気を持ってやすむべきだ。

Before you collapse from overwork, you should have the courage to rest.

Beki da (should).

2

執筆活動を一時やすむことを発表した。

They announced a temporary hiatus from their writing activities.

Formal announcement structure.

3

自然の中で翼をやすめる鳥のように、彼も休息を求めていた。

Like a bird resting its wings in nature, he too sought repose.

Simile and literary usage.

4

一旦やすんで、客観的に状況を見直してみよう。

Let's rest for a moment and try to re-evaluate the situation objectively.

Ittan (temporarily/for a moment).

5

社会人としての責任を果たす一方で、適切にやすむことも不可欠だ。

While fulfilling responsibilities as a member of society, resting appropriately is also indispensable.

Ippou de (on the other hand).

6

彼は家庭の事情で、やむを得ず仕事をやすんでいる。

He is unavoidably absent from work due to family circumstances.

Yamu wo ezu (unavoidably).

7

その俳優は、しばらくの間、芸能活動をやすむことにした。

The actor decided to take a break from show business for a while.

Shibaraku no aida (for a while).

8

やすむことは停滞ではなく、前進するための準備である。

Resting is not stagnation, but preparation for moving forward.

Philosophical 'A dewa naku B' structure.

1

多忙を極める現代人にとって、「やすむ」という行為は一種の贅沢となった。

For modern people who are extremely busy, the act of 'resting' has become a kind of luxury.

Abstract noun phrase 'to iu koui'.

2

心身の均衡を保つためには、意識的にやすむ時間を確保せねばならない。

In order to maintain physical and mental equilibrium, one must consciously secure time to rest.

Neba naranai (must - formal).

3

彼は長年勤めた会社を辞め、人生の夏休みとして一年間やすむことに決めた。

He quit the company he worked at for many years and decided to rest for a year as a 'summer vacation of life'.

Metaphorical usage.

4

その文豪は、創作の筆をやすめることなく、最期まで書き続けた。

That great writer continued to write until the end without ever resting his creative pen.

Koto naku (without doing - formal).

5

激動の時代にあって、我々には立ち止まってやすむ余裕などなかった。

In an era of upheaval, we had no leeway to stop and rest.

Nado nakatta (had no such thing as...).

6

機械ですらメンテナンスのためにやすむ必要があるのだから、人間も同様だ。

Since even machines need to rest for maintenance, the same applies to humans.

Douyou da (is the same).

7

休養と「やすむ」ことは同義ではない。真の休息とは何かを問う必要がある。

Recuperation and 'resting' are not synonymous. We need to question what true rest is.

Distinguishing between synonyms.

8

彼は、喧騒から離れて静かにやすめる場所を求めて、山奥へと向かった。

Seeking a place where he could rest quietly away from the hustle and bustle, he headed deep into the mountains.

Potential form in a relative clause.

Häufige Kollokationen

仕事をやすむ (Take off work)
学校をやすむ (Be absent from school)
ゆっくりやすむ (Rest well)
ちょっとやすむ (Rest a bit)
一晩やすむ (Rest for a night)
足をやすめる (Rest one's feet)
筆をやすめる (Pause writing)
休みを取る (Take a holiday)
休み時間 (Break time)
休み明け (After the holiday)

Häufige Phrasen

おやすみなさい (Goodnight)

ちょっとやすみましょう (Let's take a break)

ゆっくりやすんでね (Rest well - casual)

おやすみをいただく (To receive a day off - humble)

やすみのひ (Day off)

夏休み (Summer vacation)

連休 (Consecutive holidays)

休みなし (No rest/No days off)

一回やすみ (Miss a turn - games)

おやすみ中 (Currently resting/closed)

Wird oft verwechselt mit

やすむ vs 寝る (neru)

Neru is specifically sleeping/lying down; Yasumu is general rest or absence.

やすむ vs 止まる (tomaru)

Tomaru is to stop moving (like a car); Yasumu is to rest a person.

やすむ vs 終わる (owaru)

Owaru is to finish a task; Yasumu is to take a break from it.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

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Leicht verwechselbar

やすむ vs

やすむ vs

やすむ vs

やすむ vs

やすむ vs

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

nuance

Yasumu is more about recovery than just stopping.

formality

It is a neutral verb, suitable for most daily situations.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'kara' instead of 'wo' for being absent.
  • Confusing 'yasumu' with 'neru' when you just mean sleep.
  • Forgetting the 'n' in 'yasunde'.
  • Using 'yasumu' for a machine stopping.
  • Saying 'yasumu desu' instead of 'yasumimasu' or 'yasumi desu'.

Tipps

Te-form Rule

Verbs ending in 'mu' always change to 'nde' in the te-form. Yasumu becomes Yasunde.

The Apology

When calling in sick, it's polite to apologize for the inconvenience caused by your absence.

Compound Words

Learn 'Natsuyasumi' (Summer) and 'Fuyuyasumi' (Winter) together.

Pitch Accent

The accent drops after the first syllable. YA-su-mu.

Polite Sleep

Use 'Oyasumi ni naru' as the honorific version of 'neru' (to sleep).

Kanji Parts

Remember: Person + Tree = Rest.

Softening

Add 'chotto' to make your request to rest sound more natural.

Context Clues

If you hear 'gakkou wo...', the next word is likely 'yasumu'.

JLPT Tip

This word appears frequently in N5 listening sections regarding schedules.

Visualizing

Picture yourself leaning on a tree whenever you say 'yasumu'.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Kultureller Kontext

Always say 'O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu' if you leave work to rest before others.

Taking a day off often requires a formal 'reason' (cold, family emergency).

Students must have parents call the school to 'yasumu'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"週末は休みですか？ (Is it your day off this weekend?)"

"どこで休みたいですか？ (Where do you want to rest?)"

"最近、ちゃんと休んでいますか？ (Have you been resting properly lately?)"

"夏休みは何をしますか？ (What will you do for summer vacation?)"

"ちょっと休みませんか？ (Shall we rest for a bit?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日は何をしましたか？休みましたか？ (What did you do today? Did you rest?)

理想の休みの日について書いてください。 (Write about your ideal day off.)

仕事や学校を休んだ時、何をしますか？ (What do you do when you take a day off work/school?)

最近、一番休めたのはいつですか？ (When was the last time you felt most rested?)

「休む」ことは大切だと思いますか？ (Do you think resting is important?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, but it's more polite. 'Oyasumi nasai' is the standard way to say goodnight.

It can be both. 'I rest' (intransitive) or 'I skip school' (transitive with 'wo').

'Kyuukei' is a short, specific break. 'Yasumi' is more general rest or a full day off.

You say 'Yasumimasu' (present/future) or 'Yasumimashita' (past).

Yes, 'Kono mise wa kyou yasumi desu' is common.

It is a Group 1 (Godan) verb.

Say 'Chotto yasumimasen ka?' or 'Yasunde mo ii desu ka?'

It means 'break time' or 'recess' at school.

Usually no, 'tomaru' is better, unless you are personifying the machine.

The kanji is 休.

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