rest

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 休 means to rest or stop an activity; the verb 休む is read やすむ.
• Basic usage: 木陰で休む means to rest in the shade of a tree; 学校を休む means to take time off from school.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Place and activity missed
  • 学校で休む means resting at school, while 学校を休む means being absent from school.
  • で marks the place of rest, whereas を marks the activity not attended.
• A break and a day off
  • 休憩, read きゅうけい, means a break during work or an activity; 休日, read きゅうじつ, means a day off.
  • 休憩を取る does not mean taking the entire day off.