استراحت

What it means

استراحت (esterâhat) means rest, relaxation, taking a break. The verb form is esterâhat kardan (to rest).

How to use it

• دارم استراحت می‌کنم (dâram esterâhat mikonam) “I’m resting”
• کمی استراحت کن (kami esterâhat kon) “Rest a little”
• به استراحت نیاز دارم (be esterâhat niyâz dâram) “I need rest”

Cultural note

The post-lunch nap is a real institution in many Iranian homes, especially on Fridays. Asking after a sick relative often gets the answer dârad esterâhat mikonad (he’s resting). Doctors sign sick notes with the phrase esterâhat-e motlaq (complete rest).

Common pairings

• استراحت مطلق (esterâhat-e motlaq) “complete bed rest”
• اتاق استراحت (otâq-e esterâhat) “break room”
• روز استراحت (ruz-e esterâhat) “day off, rest day”

Etymology

From Arabic root r-w-ḥ (روح), meaning rest, breathing, ease. The same root produces ruh (spirit) and râhat (comfort). The form esterâhat is a verbal noun (masdar) meaning the act of seeking rest.

References

• Dehkhoda
• Vajehyab
• Wiktionary