Usage of 歇
The verb 歇 (xiē) primarily means "to rest" or "to take a break." It is commonly used when someone pauses physical or mental activity to recover energy. For example, after working or exercising, one might say "歇一会儿" to mean "rest for a while."
Besides personal rest, 歇 can also describe stopping or suspending operations, such as machines or work shifts, e.g., "歇工" means "to stop work."
Common Collocations
- 歇一会儿: rest for a short time, often used in daily conversation.
- 歇工: stop work, usually for maintenance or breaks.
- 歇口气: literally "rest the breath," meaning to pause briefly to catch one's breath or recover.
Notes
歇 is more informal and colloquial compared to 休息 (xiūxi), which is more neutral and formal for "rest." Avoid confusing 歇 with 歇息, which is a more literary or formal expression. 歇 often implies a short or temporary rest.
Use 歇 when you want to express a casual or immediate break, especially in spoken Chinese.