istirahat

Istirahat is a term in Indonesian and Malay that refers to the act of resting or taking a break from activity. Used as a noun, it denotes a period of rest; as a verb, the related form beristirahat means to rest oneself. The imperative istirahatlah is commonly used to tell someone to rest. The phrase istirahat sejenak means a short rest, while istirahat panjang denotes a longer break.

In daily life, istirahat appears in work, study, travel, and sports contexts. Schools and workplaces often schedule istirahat breaks to maintain safety and productivity; travelers may seek rest stops; athletes use timed istirahat between sets or laps to recover.

Health and productivity: Rest is essential for physical recovery, mental refreshment, decision making, and mood. Adequate istirahat reduces fatigue, errors, and accidents, and supports learning and memory in educational settings.

Etymology and regional usage: The word is part of the Indonesian and Malay lexicon with roots in the broader Southeast Asian languages; it is commonly used in formal and informal speech. In modern usage, it also appears in health and labor guidance that emphasize regular breaks.