あまり休む
amari yasumu
not much rest
शाब्दिक अर्थ: amari (not very/remainder) + yasumu (to rest)
15 सेकंड में
- Used to describe a busy schedule with few breaks.
- Requires a negative verb ending like 'yasumanai' or 'yasumimasen'.
- Can sound like a humble brag about working hard.
मतलब
This phrase describes a state where someone isn't taking many breaks or isn't getting enough downtime. It’s the perfect way to say you've been working hard or staying busy without much pause.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Talking to a colleague about a project
最近、プロジェクトが忙しくてあまり休みません。
Lately, the project is busy, so I don't rest much.
Texting a friend about your weekend
今週末は勉強ばかりで、あまり休まなかったよ。
I did nothing but study this weekend, so I didn't rest much.
Describing a very energetic pet
うちの犬は元気すぎて、昼間もあまり休まないんだ。
My dog is too energetic and doesn't rest much during the day.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Japan, the concept of 'rest' is often tied to social responsibility. Historically, working without rest was a sign of loyalty to one's company or family. Today, while the 'salaryman' culture is evolving, being busy is still often equated with being a valuable member of society.
The Negative Rule
Always remember that `amari` needs a negative verb like `nai` or `masen` to mean 'not much.' Without it, the sentence feels unfinished!
Don't Sound Too Gloomy
While it means you're busy, try to say it with a smile. In Japan, being busy is often seen as a sign of being needed and successful.
15 सेकंड में
- Used to describe a busy schedule with few breaks.
- Requires a negative verb ending like 'yasumanai' or 'yasumimasen'.
- Can sound like a humble brag about working hard.
What It Means
Imagine you are a spinning top that never stops. This phrase describes that exact feeling of constant motion. It means you aren't resting much or taking enough breaks. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes it means you are just very focused. Other times, it means you are totally overwhelmed. It’s a very common way to describe a busy lifestyle.
How To Use It
Here is the big secret. To mean 'not much rest,' you must use the negative form. You will usually say あまり休まない (amari yasumanai). The word amari acts like a magnet for negative verb endings. If you want to be polite, use あまり休みません (amari yasumimasen). You can use it for yourself or others. It’s a very flexible building block for your Japanese.
When To Use It
Use this when a friend asks how your week is going. It’s great for work contexts when describing a project. You can use it at the gym to describe your workout. It’s also common when talking about your pets or even machines. If your robot vacuum is cleaning for three hours, this phrase fits! It’s a natural way to sound like a hard worker.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you actually took a long nap. Avoid it if you are on a relaxing beach vacation. If you want to say you rest 'too much,' this isn't it. For 'too much,' you would use 休みすぎる (yasumi-sugiru). Also, don't use it if you are completely exhausted. This phrase implies you are still going, not that you have collapsed.
Cultural Background
Japan has a famous culture of hard work called ganbaru. This means doing your absolute best at all times. Because of this, saying you 'don't rest much' is often seen as a compliment. It shows dedication and grit. However, younger generations are now focusing more on 'work-life balance.' So, this phrase can sometimes be a gentle complaint now too.
Common Variations
If you want to say you 'can't' rest, use あまり休めない (amari yasumenai). For a stronger feeling, you can use 全然休まない (zenzen yasumanai). That means you don't rest at all! If you are talking about a specific 'rest day,' you might say あまり休みがない (amari yasumi ga nai). This means you don't have many days off.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
Always pair with a negative verb ending. It is a neutral expression suitable for most social situations as long as the politeness level (desu/masu vs. dictionary form) matches your audience.
The Negative Rule
Always remember that `amari` needs a negative verb like `nai` or `masen` to mean 'not much.' Without it, the sentence feels unfinished!
Don't Sound Too Gloomy
While it means you're busy, try to say it with a smile. In Japan, being busy is often seen as a sign of being needed and successful.
The Humble Brag
Japanese people often use this phrase to indirectly say 'I am working very hard' without sounding arrogant. It's a key part of social harmony.
उदाहरण
6最近、プロジェクトが忙しくてあまり休みません。
Lately, the project is busy, so I don't rest much.
Using the polite 'masen' form for a professional setting.
今週末は勉強ばかりで、あまり休まなかったよ。
I did nothing but study this weekend, so I didn't rest much.
The 'nakatta' ending makes it past tense and casual.
うちの犬は元気すぎて、昼間もあまり休まないんだ。
My dog is too energetic and doesn't rest much during the day.
A lighthearted way to describe high energy.
田中さんはあまり休まないから、体調が心配です。
Tanaka-san doesn't rest much, so I'm worried about his health.
Shows empathy and observation of someone else's habits.
最近あまり休んでいないから、コーヒーが美味しい。
I haven't rested much lately, so the coffee tastes great.
Uses the 'te-iru' form to show a continuing state.
あの店のシェフは、ランチタイムはあまり休まないね。
The chef at that place doesn't rest much during lunch time, does he?
Observing a professional in action.
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct negative form to complete the sentence: 'I don't rest much.'
私は最近、___。
In Japanese, 'amari' must be paired with a negative verb ending to mean 'not much.'
Make the sentence casual for a friend.
仕事が忙しいから、___。
'Yasumanai' is the casual negative form of 'yasumu'.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality Levels of 'Not Much Rest'
Talking to friends or family.
あまり休まない (Amari yasumanai)
Standard polite speech for strangers or acquaintances.
あまり休みません (Amari yasumimasen)
Polite business context or showing high respect.
あまり休みを取っておりません (Amari yasumi o totte orimasen)
When to say you aren't resting much
Exam Season
Studying late every night.
New Job
Trying to impress the boss.
Parenting
Taking care of a newborn.
Gaming Marathon
Playing a new release all weekend.
अभ्यास बैंक
2 अभ्यास私は最近、___。
In Japanese, 'amari' must be paired with a negative verb ending to mean 'not much.'
仕事が忙しいから、___。
'Yasumanai' is the casual negative form of 'yasumu'.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालTechnically no. To mean 'not much rest,' it must be negative: あまり休まない. Using it positively sounds unnatural in modern Japanese.
In negative sentences, it means 'not very' or 'not much.' In positive sentences (rarely with this verb), it can mean 'too much' or 'remainder.'
Amari means 'not much' (like 20%), while zenzen means 'not at all' (0%). Use zenzen if you haven't slept in days!
It's better to use あまり寝ない (amari nenai) for sleep. Yasumu is more about taking breaks or general downtime.
It depends on the ending. Amari yasumimasen is polite and neutral. Amari yasumanai is casual.
Yes! You can say a machine あまり休まない if it runs constantly without stopping.
It can, but it often sounds like you are just stating a fact about your busy life. Context and tone of voice matter most.
Use the potential form: あまり休めない (amari yasumenai). This implies you want to rest but circumstances prevent it.
In very casual speech, people often say あんまり (anmari) with an extra 'n' sound. It sounds more conversational.
Yes, yasumi can mean a holiday. あまり休まない could mean you don't take many vacations throughout the year.
संबंधित मुहावरे
全然休まない
Not resting at all
休みがない
To have no time off/no holidays
働きすぎる
To overwork/work too much
ゆっくりする
To take it easy/relax
