riposo

Riposo is the Italian noun meaning rest, pause, or respite. It denotes the state of being inactive to recover energy, or a period of inactivity granted or needed for recovery. The term comes from the verb riposare, formed with the prefix re- and posare, conveying the idea of returning to a resting position.

In everyday usage, riposo refers to a break from work, study, or activity, a moment of relaxation, or a short nap. It is also used in phrases such as “giorno di riposo” (rest day) or “dopo il lavoro ho bisogno di riposo.” In medical and health contexts, riposo describes sanctioned inactivity: “riposo assoluto” (absolute rest), “riposo relativo” (relative rest), or being confined to bed, “riposo a letto,” as part of recovery.

In sports and rehabilitation, riposo is a key component of training cycles, balancing periods of exercise with planned recovery to allow tissues to repair and performance to improve. The concept extends to general life balance, where adequate riposo is viewed as essential for well-being.

In music, riposo is the term used for a rest or pause within a musical score, indicating a moment of silence for one or more beats depending on notation. While the symbol for a rest may vary, the word riposo communicates the same silenced interval in Italian editions.

See also: riposare, riposo assoluto, riposo settimanale.