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B2 noun 9 min read

歇息

xiēxī
Examples
Explanation 歇息 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn Chinese. You probably already know the word 休息 (xiū xi), which means 'to rest'. 歇息 (xiē xi) is a very similar word. It also means 'to rest' or 'to go to sleep'. However, as a beginner, you do not need to use 歇息 every day. 休息 is much more common for everyday things like a break at school or work. You might hear 歇息 in Chinese movies or TV shows, especially older ones. If someone says '早点歇息' (zǎo diǎn xiē xi), they are telling you to go to bed early and get some good rest. It is a very polite and kind thing to say. Remember that both characters have the 'x' sound in pinyin, which sounds a bit like the 'sh' in English 'she', but with your tongue lower. For now, focus on understanding that when you hear 歇息, someone is talking about stopping work, sitting down, relaxing, or going to sleep. You do not need to worry about the complicated grammar yet. Just know it is a nice way to say 'rest'.
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At the A2 level, you can talk about your daily routines and basic activities. You know how to say you are tired (累 - lèi) and need to rest (休息 - xiū xi). Now, you can add 歇息 (xiē xi) to your vocabulary to understand slightly more descriptive language. 歇息 is often used when someone is very tired from physical work or walking a long way. For example, if you are climbing a mountain with a Chinese friend, they might point to a bench and say, '我们去那里歇息一下吧' (Let's go there and rest a bit). It gives a stronger feeling of recovering your energy than just a normal break. You will also hear it used as a very polite way to tell older people to go to sleep. If you are visiting a Chinese family, you might hear the parents tell the grandparents, '您早点歇息' (Please rest/go to bed early). It shows respect. You can start using it in these two situations: when you are physically exhausted from an activity, or when you are politely telling someone older to have a good night's sleep. It makes your Chinese sound more natural and polite.
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At the B1 level, you are exploring more varied contexts, such as travel, hobbies, and telling stories. 歇息 (xiē xi) becomes a very useful word when you are describing journeys or reading simpler Chinese stories. While 休息 is still your go-to word for general breaks, 歇息 adds a layer of atmosphere. It implies finding a place of refuge to recover. For instance, in a travel blog, you might read: '走了几个小时后，我们在一个小村庄歇息' (After walking for several hours, we rested in a small village). This sounds more descriptive and slightly more literary than just saying 休息. You should also understand that 歇息 cannot take a direct object. You cannot '歇息' a specific body part. You just '歇息'. Furthermore, 歇息 is frequently paired with time duration complements. You will see phrases like 歇息片刻 (rest for a moment) or 歇息几天 (rest for a few days). By using 歇息 in your writing about travel or in polite conversation, you demonstrate a growing awareness of Chinese synonyms and the subtle stylistic differences between them. It shows you are moving beyond basic vocabulary.
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At the B2 level, your goal is to express yourself with nuance and precision. The distinction between 歇息 (xiē xi) and 休息 (xiū xi) is a perfect example of this nuance. 歇息 carries a distinct cultural and stylistic weight. It is inherently more traditional, somewhat literary, and deeply associated with physical recovery or retiring for the evening. You will frequently encounter it in contemporary literature, historical dramas, and formal polite discourse. When writing an essay or a descriptive narrative, using 歇息 instead of 休息 to describe a weary traveler stopping at an inn immediately elevates the register of your writing. It paints a picture of laying down burdens and catching one's breath. Conversely, using 歇息 to describe a coffee break in a modern corporate office would sound jarring and stylistically inappropriate. At this level, you must also master its collocations. Understand how it pairs with adverbs like 暂且 (temporarily) or 终于 (finally). For example: '部队终于可以停下来歇息了' (The troops could finally stop and rest). Your mastery of 歇息 demonstrates your ability to choose vocabulary not just for its literal meaning, but for its tone, register, and cultural resonance.
At the C1 level, you are engaging with complex texts, classical influences, and highly expressive language. 歇息 (xiē xi) should be fully integrated into your receptive and productive vocabulary, particularly for literary and formal contexts. You will recognize its etymological roots: 歇 implying cessation and 息 implying breath. This etymology informs its modern usage, where it often conveys a sense of profound relief or the cessation of relentless motion. In literature, 歇息 is not merely a physical act but can also serve as a metaphor for mental or spiritual respite from the turbulent world. You will encounter it in modern prose that deliberately adopts a classical or nostalgic tone. Furthermore, you can appreciate its socio-linguistic applications. In rural dialects or among older generations, 歇息 might still be the dominant term for resting, reflecting a slower, more traditional pace of life compared to the urbanized 休息. You should be comfortable using it to create specific atmospheric effects in your own writing, such as establishing a tranquil, archaic, or deeply respectful tone. You can also effortlessly distinguish it from similar classical-leaning terms like 歇脚 or 停歇 based on precise contextual clues.
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At the C2 level, your understanding of 歇息 (xiē xi) encompasses its entire historical evolution and subtle psychological undertones. You recognize it as a bridge between Classical Chinese (文言文) and modern vernacular (白话文). In classical poetry and prose, the concepts of 歇 and 息 are deeply intertwined with Daoist philosophy—the balance of action (有为) and non-action (无为), where resting is as vital as doing. When a modern author chooses 歇息, they are tapping into this deep cultural reservoir. You understand that 歇息 can imply a withdrawal from worldly affairs, a temporary sanctuary. In highly sophisticated discourse, you can analyze why a speaker might choose 歇息 over 休息 to manipulate the emotional distance or the perceived formality of an interaction. You are also acutely aware of regional variations in its usage across the Chinese diaspora. Your usage of the term is flawless, seamlessly integrating it into both spoken and written Chinese with the exact intonation and contextual framing required to convey empathy, respect, literary flair, or historical ambiance, demonstrating a near-native intuition for the stylistic fabric of the language.
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Examples
The Chinese word 歇息 (xiē xi) is a profoundly expressive term that fundamentally means to rest, to repose, or to take a break from physical or mental exertion. To truly understand this word, we must look at its individual characters. The first character, 歇 (xiē), carries the meaning of stopping, resting, or taking a break. It implies a cessation of activity, often temporary, to recover one's strength. The second character, 息 (xī), originally depicted a nose above a heart, symbolizing breath or breathing. Over time, it evolved to mean resting, ceasing, or calming down, as in catching one's breath after a long period of labor. When combined, 歇息 paints a vivid picture of someone stopping their toil to sit down and take a deep, restorative breath. This word is often used in contexts where someone has been traveling, working hard, or experiencing fatigue, and requires a moment of peace to rejuvenate. While it shares similarities with the more common word 休息 (xiū xi), 歇息 carries a slightly more traditional, literary, or regional flavor. In modern everyday conversation, especially among younger generations in urban areas, 休息 is the default term for resting. However, 歇息 is frequently encountered in literature, historical television dramas, and polite or affectionate speech directed at elders, such as advising a grandparent to retire to bed for the evening. It evokes a sense of deep, comforting rest, often associated with returning to one's home or finding a safe haven after a long journey. Understanding when to use 歇息 requires a grasp of its subtle emotional resonance—it is not just about stopping work, but about restoring one's physical and spiritual energy.
Literal Meaning
To stop and catch one's breath.
Emotional Tone
Comforting, traditional, and deeply restorative.
Common Context
Historical dramas, polite suggestions to elders, and literary descriptions of journeys.

赶了这么多天的路，我们终于可以找个客栈 歇息 了。

天色已晚，您还是早点 歇息 吧。

工人们在树荫下 歇息。

连日的劳累让他连 歇息 的时间都没有。

鸟儿在枝头 歇息。

Grammatically, 歇息 functions primarily as an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. You cannot say you are going to 歇息 a thing. Instead, it is used to describe the action of the subject taking a rest. It is often followed by time complements or adverbial phrases that indicate the duration or manner of the rest. For example, you might say 歇息片刻 (rest for a moment), 歇息一会儿 (rest for a little while), or 歇息几天 (rest for a few days). It can also be preceded by adverbs like 停下来 (stop to), 坐下来 (sit down to), or 早点 (early, as in go to rest early). When used as a noun, which is less common but still valid, it refers to the concept of rest itself, such as in the phrase 没有歇息的机会 (no opportunity for rest). In sentence structures, it frequently appears in imperative sentences giving gentle advice, such as 请在此歇息 (Please rest here), or in narrative sentences describing the end of a long journey. Because of its slightly formal and traditional tone, it pairs beautifully with classical Chinese sentence structures and idioms, though it is perfectly acceptable in standard modern Mandarin. When constructing sentences, learners should pay attention to the flow and context. Using 歇息 instead of 休息 in a sentence about taking a five-minute break between math classes might sound overly dramatic or archaic. However, using it in a sentence about a hiker reaching a mountain peak and sitting down to enjoy the view and catch their breath is stylistically perfect. Mastering the syntactic environment of 歇息 involves understanding its preference for descriptive, atmospheric, and respectful contexts.
Verb Usage
Intransitive verb, takes time complements but no direct objects.
Noun Usage
Refers to the state or period of rest, often used with words like 机会 (opportunity) or 时间 (time).
Adverbial Modifiers
Frequently modified by 早点 (early), 好好 (well), or 停下来 (stop to).

老奶奶，您坐下 歇息 一会儿吧。

我们将在这里 歇息 一晚，明天继续赶路。

经过长时间的飞行，旅客们都需要去酒店 歇息。

他没有一刻的 歇息，一直在努力工作。

请各位贵宾到偏殿 歇息。

You are most likely to encounter 歇息 in specific cultural and social contexts in the Chinese-speaking world. One of the most prominent places is in historical fiction, martial arts (Wuxia) novels, and period television dramas. In these settings, characters traveling on horseback or on foot will frequently stop at a roadside inn (客栈) and ask the innkeeper for a room to 歇息. Because of this strong association with traditional storytelling, the word carries a slightly rustic, poetic, or historical resonance. However, it is not entirely relegated to the past. In modern, everyday life, you will hear it used by people in rural areas or by older generations who maintain a more traditional vocabulary. Furthermore, it is a key term in the language of politeness and filial piety. A younger person might respectfully tell their parents or grandparents, '天不早了，您快去歇息吧' (It's getting late, please go rest/sleep). It sounds softer, more caring, and more respectful than simply saying '去睡觉' (go to sleep). You might also hear it in the hospitality industry, particularly in boutique hotels, traditional guesthouses, or tea houses that aim to cultivate an atmosphere of classical Chinese elegance and tranquility. A sign in a serene garden might invite visitors to 歇息. It is less common in corporate environments or modern schools, where 休息 is the undisputed standard. Understanding these domains of usage is crucial for a learner. Using 歇息 in a highly modern, fast-paced setting might sound slightly out of place, but using it to show care for an elder or to describe a profound state of relaxation in a beautiful, quiet setting demonstrates a deep, nuanced command of the Chinese language.
Historical Media
Ubiquitous in Wuxia novels and ancient Chinese dramas for stopping at an inn.
Polite Address
Used to respectfully urge elders to go to bed or take a break.
Hospitality
Found in traditional tea houses or guesthouses emphasizing tranquility.

大侠，前方有个茶棚，不如去 歇息 片刻。

爷爷，您累了一天了，回房 歇息 吧。

这家古风客栈是旅人 歇息 的好地方。

部队在山谷里安营扎寨，准备 歇息。

走了十里山路，大家都在路边石头上 歇息。

When learning the word 歇息, English speakers and other non-native learners frequently make a few distinct categories of mistakes. The most prevalent error is treating 歇息 as a perfect, interchangeable synonym for 休息 (xiū xi) in all contexts. While both translate to 'rest', 休息 is the broad, universal term for any kind of break, including school recesses, lunch breaks at work, or taking days off. 歇息, on the other hand, specifically implies recovering from physical fatigue or retiring for the night. Saying '我们周末歇息两天' (We will rest for two days this weekend) sounds unnatural; '我们周末休息两天' is correct. Another common mistake is attempting to use 歇息 as a transitive verb. In English, you can 'rest your eyes' or 'rest your feet'. In Chinese, you cannot say '歇息我的眼睛'. You must use a different structure, such as '让眼睛休息一下' or use the specific compound '歇脚' (to rest one's feet). Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse 歇息 with sleep itself (睡觉). While 歇息 can be a euphemism for going to bed, it encompasses the entire process of winding down, resting, and sleeping. It is not used to describe the biological state of being asleep. You wouldn't say '他正在歇息' to mean 'He is deeply asleep and dreaming right now'—you would say '他睡着了'. Finally, there is a severe cultural mistake to avoid: confusing 歇息 with 安息 (ān xī). 安息 means 'to rest in peace' and is used exclusively for the dead. Mixing these up in a polite conversation with an elder would be a catastrophic social faux pas. Recognizing these boundaries ensures accurate and culturally sensitive communication.
Overgeneralization
Using it for modern corporate or school breaks instead of the standard 休息.
Transitive Usage
Incorrectly attaching a direct object to the verb (e.g., resting a specific body part).
Fatal Confusion
Mixing it up with 安息 (rest in peace), which is only for the deceased.

错误：我们公司周末 歇息 两天。正确：我们公司周末休息两天。

错误：我想 歇息 我的脚。正确：我想歇歇脚。

错误：爷爷，您早点安息吧。正确：爷爷，您早点 歇息 吧。

错误：课间 歇息 十分钟。正确：课间休息十分钟。

错误：他正在床上 歇息 着做梦。正确：他正在床上睡觉做梦。

The Chinese language is rich with vocabulary related to resting, pausing, and sleeping, making it essential to distinguish 歇息 from its close synonyms. The most obvious alternative is 休息 (xiū xi), which is the most common, versatile word for rest. 休息 applies to everything from a five-minute break to a two-week vacation. 歇息 is a subset of 休息, focusing specifically on recovering from physical exhaustion or retiring for the night, often with a slightly more traditional or literary tone. Another related term is 歇脚 (xiē jiǎo), which literally translates to 'resting one's feet'. This is a highly specific, colloquial term used when someone has been walking for a long time and needs to sit down briefly; it does not imply going to sleep, whereas 歇息 often does. 睡眠 (shuì mián) is the formal, scientific noun for sleep, focusing on the biological state, unlike the action-oriented 歇息. 停歇 (tíng xiē) means to stop and rest, but it is frequently used for natural phenomena, like rain or wind stopping, or a bird landing on a branch, though it can apply to humans stopping an activity. 歇心 (xiē xīn) is a more psychological term, meaning to set one's mind at rest or to stop worrying. By comparing these alternatives, we see that 歇息 occupies a unique space: it is an elegant, polite, and somewhat traditional word that bridges the gap between taking a temporary physical break and settling down for a full night's sleep. Understanding these nuances allows a learner to choose exactly the right word for the right situation, elevating their Chinese from merely functional to highly expressive and culturally attuned.
休息 vs 歇息
休息 is universal; 歇息 is more traditional, focused on physical fatigue or bedtime.
歇脚 vs 歇息
歇脚 is only for stopping walking to rest feet; 歇息 can include full body rest and sleep.
停歇 vs 歇息
停歇 often applies to weather, machinery, or birds stopping; 歇息 is primarily for human rest.

他太累了，需要好好 歇息 一下。（Similar to 休息 but more emphatic about fatigue）

前面有个亭子，我们去歇脚吧。（Specific to walking）

风雨终于停歇了。（Natural phenomenon）

良好的睡眠对健康很重要。（Scientific/Formal noun）

把这件事办完，我也就歇心了。（Mental rest/worrying）

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Examples by Level

1

我要去歇息了。

I am going to rest.

Basic subject + verb structure.

2

你累吗？去歇息吧。

Are you tired? Go rest.

Imperative sentence using 吧.

3

我们在家歇息。

We rest at home.

Prepositional phrase 在家 indicating location.

4

他需要歇息。

He needs to rest.

Using 需要 (need) before the verb.

5

妈妈在歇息。

Mom is resting.

Using 在 to indicate progressive action.

6

大家歇息一下。

Everyone rest a bit.

Using 一下 to soften the command.

7

早点歇息。

Rest early.

Common polite phrase.

8

我不歇息。

I am not resting.

Negative form using 不.

1

今天工作很累，我想早点歇息。

Work was tiring today, I want to rest early.

Connecting two clauses to show cause and effect.

2

爷爷，您去房间歇息吧。

Grandpa, please go to the room and rest.

Polite address and directional verb 去.

3

我们走得很累，找个地方歇息吧。

We walked a lot and are tired, let's find a place to rest.

Using 得 for degree.

4

他每天晚上十点准时歇息。

He rests (goes to bed) exactly at 10 PM every night.

Time word placement before the verb.

5

别说话了，让弟弟歇息一会儿。

Stop talking, let younger brother rest for a while.

Using 让 (let) in a causative sentence.

6

客人们都在客房里歇息。

The guests are all resting in the guest rooms.

Using 都在 to indicate 'all are'.

7

吃完晚饭后，我们歇息了半个小时。

After eating dinner, we rested for half an hour.

Time duration complement 半个小时.

8

这里很安静，适合歇息。

It is very quiet here, suitable for resting.

Using 适合 (suitable for) before the verb.

1

经过一天的长途跋涉，旅客们终于可以歇息了。

After a day of long trekking, the travelers can finally rest.

Using 经过 (after/through) for complex time framing.

2

医生建议他放下工作，好好歇息几天。

The doctor advised him to put down his work and rest well for a few days.

Using 建议 (advise) and adverb 好好.

3

马车在路边的客栈停了下来，准备歇息一晚。

The horse carriage stopped at the roadside inn, preparing to rest for one night.

Narrative sentence structure common in stories.

4

既然你觉得身体不适，就早点回房歇息吧。

Since you feel unwell, go back to your room and rest early.

Using 既然...就... (since... then...).

5

为了明天的比赛，运动员们现在必须歇息。

For tomorrow's match, the athletes must rest now.

Using 为了 (for the sake of) to show purpose.

6

老人家年纪大了，需要更多的歇息时间。

The elderly person is old and needs more resting time.

Using 歇息 as a noun modifier for 时间.

7

连日的暴雨终于停了，救援人员也得以短暂歇息。

The continuous heavy rain finally stopped, and rescue workers were able to take a short rest.

Using 得以 (able to) in formal contexts.

8

这片树林阴凉安静，是夏天歇息的好去处。

This forest is cool and quiet, a good place to rest in summer.

Descriptive sentence using 好去处 (good place to go).

1

在这喧嚣的城市中，很难找到一处可以静心歇息的角落。

In this noisy city, it is hard to find a corner to rest one's mind peacefully.

Using 静心 (calm the mind) as an adverbial modifier.

2

他强忍着疲惫，没有丝毫歇息的打算，继续连夜赶工。

Enduring the fatigue, he had no intention of resting at all and continued working through the night.

Using 丝毫 (not the slightest) in a negative construction.

3

古人云，日出而作，日落而息，这便是最自然的歇息方式。

The ancients said, work at sunrise, rest at sunset; this is the most natural way of resting.

Incorporating classical idioms (日落而息) to explain the concept.

4

长途驾驶极易导致疲劳，司机务必每隔两小时歇息片刻。

Long-distance driving easily leads to fatigue; drivers must rest for a moment every two hours.

Using formal adverbs like 极易 (extremely easy) and 务必 (must).

5

那座隐秘的山庄，成了他逃避世俗烦扰、暂且歇息的避风港。

That hidden mountain villa became his safe haven to escape worldly troubles and temporarily rest.

Complex noun phrase modifying 避风港 (safe haven).

6

她轻声细语地安抚着受惊的孩子，直到他安静地歇息了。

She softly comforted the frightened child until he quietly went to rest.

Using adverbial phrases like 轻声细语 (softly).

7

剧烈的运动后，身体需要充分的歇息来修复受损的肌肉组织。

After intense exercise, the body needs sufficient rest to repair damaged muscle tissue.

Scientific/biological context using 歇息 as a noun.

8

这首古典乐曲旋律舒缓，仿佛能让疲惫的灵魂得到歇息。

This classical music piece has a soothing melody, as if it can let a tired soul get rest.

Metaphorical usage (soul getting rest).

1

在历经了商海的沉浮与岁月的沧桑后，他只求寻一处田园，安然歇息。

After experiencing the ups and downs of the business world and the vicissitudes of time, he only seeks to find a rural place to rest peacefully.

Highly literary phrasing using four-character idioms (岁月沧桑).

2

这部武侠小说中，剑客在风雪交加的破庙中歇息，气氛渲染得极为苍凉。

In this martial arts novel, the swordsman rests in a ruined temple amidst a snowstorm, rendering the atmosphere extremely desolate.

Analytical sentence describing a literary scene.

3

现代人往往被无形的压力裹挟，忘记了生命本身也需要适时的停顿与歇息。

Modern people are often swept up by invisible pressures, forgetting that life itself also needs timely pauses and rest.

Philosophical observation using passive voice (被...裹挟).

4

王维的诗句中常透出一种禅意，描绘了万物

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