Chinese Conversation · Level 66
90 words
Chinese word
占线
Pronunciation
Pinyinzhàn xiàn
Meaning
- verbbe on the phone
Example
现在老板占线，你等一下吧。xiàn zài láo bǎn zhàn xiàn nǐ děng yí xià ba
The boss is on the phone now, so wait a moment.
More examples
开会时同事的手机一直占线，联系不上。kāi huì shí tóng shì de shǒu jī yì zhí zhàn xiàn lián xì bú shàng
During the meeting, my coworker's cellphone was always busy, so I couldn't reach them.
Core concept
A telephone connection is already occupied by a call, leaving no path for another caller.
Common phrases
对方占线duì fāng zhàn xiàn
the other person is on the phone
公司电话占线gōng sī diàn huà zhàn xiàn
the company's phone is busy
Similar words
打电话dǎ diàn huà: Make a call by telephone.
接电话jiē diàn huà: Answer a telephone call and speak with the caller.
通话tōng huà: Talk with someone by telephone or another communication link.
挂断guà duàn: End a telephone call while it is ringing or in progress.
Definition in Chinese
用于表示拨打电话时提示线路忙或对方正在通话，无法接通。yòng yú biǎo shì bō dǎ diàn huà shí tí shì xiàn lù máng huò duì fāng zhèng zài tōng huà wú fǎ jiē tōng
Word origin
占 (zhàn, "occupy") + 线 (xiàn, "line") forms a compound for a line taken up by a call.
Usage tips
- English speakers often use "on the phone" for a person who is speaking, while this word is especially useful when a caller finds the line unavailable.