Japanese word

暇

Pronunciation

Romajihima

Meaning

  • nounfree time

Example

暇なとき、本を読みます。hima na to ki hon o yo mi ma su

I read books in my free time.

Illustration for 暇 (free time)

More examples

放課後は暇です。hō ka go wa hima de su

I have free time after school.

今日は暇があるので、家で映画を見ます。kyō wa hima ga a ru no de ie de ei ga o mi ma su

I have free time today, so I will watch a movie at home.

Core concept

Refers to an unoccupied period that a person can spend as desired.

Common phrases

  • 暇なときhima na to ki

    when free

  • 暇があるhima ga a ru

    have free time

Similar words

空き時間akijikan: A period available between scheduled activities or appointments.
自由時間jiyūjikan: Time set aside for personal activities rather than work or other duties.
余暇yoka: Time available for rest or enjoyment after necessary work is done.

Definition in Japanese

しなければならないことがなく、好きなことに使える時間。shi na ke re ba na ra na i ko to ga na ku su ki na ko to ni tsuka e ru ji kan

Word origin

暇 (hima, "free time") is a native Japanese word, and its spelling uses 暇 (ka, "leisure"), a kanji borrowed from Chinese.

Usage tips

  • Japanese speakers use 暇 (hima) for both a neutral free period and an idle period, so the same word can describe availability or mild boredom.

Opposites

Word lists with this word