The Kanji: 憩 (Kei / Iko)
The kanji 憩 means "to rest," "to repose," or "to take a break." It combines 舌 (tongue) with 心 (heart), originally depicting stopping to catch one's breath during speech or activity. This character represents peaceful rest and relaxation.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 休憩 (kyūkei) - Rest break
15分間休憩する。
"Take a 15-minute break."
2. 憩い (ikoi) - Repose
公園でひとときの憩いを得る。
"Find moments of repose in the park."
3. 憩の場 (ikoi no ba) - Resting place
カフェは憩の場だ。
"The café is a resting place."
4. 小憩 (shōkei) - Brief rest
山頂で小憩をとる。
"Take a brief rest at the mountaintop."
In summary, 憩 describes various forms of rest - from scheduled breaks (休憩) and peaceful moments (憩い) to physical spaces (憩の場) and short pauses (小憩). It embodies the cultural importance of restorative pauses in Japanese life.