How to Say “Lunch break” in Chinese
Time and dates · HSK 2
"Lunch break" in Chinese is 午休 (wǔ xiū). 午休 (literally 'noon rest') is more than lunch in China; it's a cultural institution that usually includes eating AND napping. Most offices block off 12:00–13:30 or even 12:00–14:00, during which lights dim and colleagues nap at their desks or on inflatable mats.
Primary translation
午休
wǔ xiū
Variants by register
Formal
午休时间
wǔ xiū shí jiān
Casual
午休
wǔ xiū
When to use it
午休 (literally 'noon rest') is more than lunch in China; it's a cultural institution that usually includes eating AND napping. Most offices block off 12:00–13:30 or even 12:00–14:00, during which lights dim and colleagues nap at their desks or on inflatable mats. Schools enforce it strictly. The longer 午休时间 adds '(break) time' and is typical on signs. If you just mean eating lunch, say 吃午饭. Don't schedule meetings during 午休 unless you want to be that foreigner.
Example sentences
我们公司午休从十二点到两点。
Wǒ men gōng sī wǔ xiū cóng shí èr diǎn dào liǎng diǎn.
Our company's lunch break is from 12 to 2.
午休的时候他喜欢睡一会儿。
Wǔ xiū de shí hou tā xǐ huān shuì yī huì er.
He likes to nap a bit during the lunch break.
午休后我们继续开会。
Wǔ xiū hòu wǒ men jì xù kāi huì.
We'll continue the meeting after the lunch break.