How to Write 歇 (xiē) — Meaning “to rest; to stop”

Picture a tired person (the left side 曷 looks like a sun 日 over a wrapped shape) opening their mouth to yawn (the radical 欠 on the right). Imagine them saying 'xiē xiē' as they stop to rest after a long day.

Pay careful attention to the left part 曷: it starts with a small 日 (sun) at the top, then a horizontal hook, and a box-like shape below. The right side 欠 must be written with a left-falling stroke first, then a horizontal, and finally a right-falling stroke; do not confuse 欠 with 夂 (to walk slowly).

Although all three share the radical 欠, their left components differ. 歇 has 曷 on the left and means 'to rest,' while 欲 has 谷 (valley) and means 'desire' or 'wish,' and 欶 has 束 (bundle) and means 'to suck' or 'sip.' Visually, the left side is the key to telling them apart.

歇 commonly appears in everyday phrases like 歇息 (to rest or sleep), 歇会儿 (take a short break), and 间歇 (intermittent or interval). In Chinese culture, offering to '歇一歇' (take a little rest) is a polite way to suggest a pause during work or travel, showing care for others' well-being.

Common words containing 歇 include: 歇息 (xiē xī) — to rest; to go to sleep; 歇会儿 (xiē huì er) — to take a short break; 间歇 (jiàn xiē) — intermittent / interval.