Chinese word

闲

Pronunciation

Pinyinxián

Meaning

  • adjectivefree

Example

这周末我很闲，要不要一起出去？zhè zhōu mò wǒ hěn xián yào bú yào yì qǐ chū qù

I'm free this weekend; do you want to go out together?

Illustration for 闲 (free)

More examples

表面上他很闲，但实际上每天都有很多事情要处理。biǎo miàn shàng tā hěn xián dàn shí jì shàng měi tiān dōu yǒu hěn duō shì qíng yào chú lǐ

On the surface, he seems very free, but in fact he has many things to deal with every day.

Core concept

Time with obligations set aside, which can feel pleasantly restful or empty and boring.

Common phrases

  • 很闲hěn xián

    very free

  • 空闲时间kòng xián shí jiān

    free time

  • 显得很闲xiǎn de hěn xián

    seem very free

Similar words

空闲kòng xián: Free from work and other duties, with spare time available.
有空yǒu kòng: Free to do something because no plans or duties take up the time.
无聊wú liáo: Bored because there is nothing to do or nothing seems interesting.
悠闲yōu xián: Calm and comfortable while enjoying a slow, relaxed pace.

Definition in Chinese

指在某一段时间内不被事务牵扯，既可以是轻松的休息时间，也可以是无所事事的空闲状态。zhǐ zài mǒu yí duàn shí jiān nèi bú bèi shì wù qiān chě jì ké yǐ shì qīng sōng de xiū xī shí jiān yě ké yǐ shì wú suǒ shì shì de kòng xián zhuàng tài

Word origin

The older form of the character expressed an open space, and that idea extended naturally to a period with nothing occupying it.

Usage tips

  • Context shows whether the speaker welcomes the spare time or finds it dull, so the same word can sound positive or negative.

Opposites

Related words

  • 清闲qīng xiánleisurelyadjective
  • 闲暇xián xiáleisure timenoun
  • 闲置xián zhìleave unusedverb

Word lists with this word