levähdys

Levähdys is a Finnish noun describing a period of rest or a pause in activity. The term conveys the idea of temporarily slowing down or stopping effort, as opposed to continuing work or movement. Levähdys can refer to a short break during a task, a longer downtime between periods of activity, or a lull in events. The common verb from which it derives is levätä, with the suffix -ys forming a noun that marks a state or period.

In everyday language, levähdys is used to talk about taking a break during a workday, a holiday, or a pause in a discussion or process. In sport and exercise, levähdys typically denotes a rest interval between exertions, such as between sets in a workout.

The term can also appear in planning and organizational contexts, where levähdys signals scheduled downtime for recovery, maintenance, or reflection. The concept is related to, but distinct from, lepo (rest in a broader sense) and tauko (a specific break or pause, often shorter). The nuance is that levähdys emphasizes temporary reduction with the anticipation of resuming activity.

See also: lepo, tauko, paussi, levätä.