1.
end of a consecutive holiday; first day back after a long weekend
The period immediately following a series of consecutive days off, typically referring to the first working day after a long weekend or holiday period like Golden Week or Obon.
連休明けは辛い。
The day after a long weekend is tough.
連休明けの月曜日は電車が混む。
The Monday after a long weekend is crowded on the trains.
連休明けに大量のメールが溜まっていて、処理するのに半日かかった。
A huge number of emails had piled up after the holidays, and it took me half a day to get through them.
USAGE:
連休明け uses the suffix 明け, meaning "the period after" or "the end of." This pattern is productive: 正月明け (after New Year), 夏休み明け (after summer break), 梅雨明け (end of rainy season).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 連休明けの仕事 (work after the holidays)
- 連休明けに届く (to arrive after the long weekend)
- ゴールデンウィーク明け (after Golden Week)