noun
rest, relaxation, recreation
B1
Erholung means 'rest', 'relaxation' or 'recreation'. Feminine noun: die Erholung; plural Erholungen. Refers to rest or recuperation (Erholung von einer Krankheit) and leisure activities. Declension: Nom. die Erholung, Gen./Dat. der Erholung (singular). Common in health and holiday contexts and tourism.
Examples
Nach der langen Reise suchten die Kollegen nach Erholung, weil sie sehr müde waren.
After the long trip, the colleagues sought rest because they were very tired.
Der Urlaub war pure Erholung und Erneuerung für die ganze Familie.
The holiday was pure recreation and renewal for the whole family.
Für die geistige Erholung gehe ich am Wochenende wandern.
For mental relaxation I go hiking at the weekend.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture yourself lying in a hammock by a lake titled 'Erholung Retreat'.
Sounds a bit like 'our hollow' — imagine an empty hollow where you rest.
die -> imagine a female friend saying 'die Ruhe' (the calm) to remember feminine gender.
Notes
Erholung is often used uncountably (no plural) when referring to rest in general, but plural 'Erholungen' exists when talking about distinct periods of recuperation. Common collocations: 'sich erholen', 'zur Erholung'.