English–Chinese

“kill time” in Chinese

Chinese

Pronunciation

Pinyindǎ fā

Example

我用看书来打发时间。wǒ yòng kàn shū lái dǎ fā shí jiān

I kill time by reading books.

Illustration for 打发 (kill time)

How to say “kill time” in Chinese

“Kill time” in Chinese is 打发 (dǎ fā).

Sends something onward: an easy activity moves idle time along, while a task sends a person away.

Full entry for 打发: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 打发

主人怕吵，就把访客打发走。zhǔ rén pà chǎo jiù bǎ fǎng kè dǎ fā zǒu

The host disliked noise, so he sent the visitors away.

Tips for using 打发

  • Unlike English "occupy time", which can sound neutral or purposeful, this word often suggests an easy, low-stakes way of making waiting or free time pass.

“kill time” in other languages