閑 (xián) - Leisure — free time & idleness

閑Tone 2

xián ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

閑 · xián

Leisure — free time;

idleness;

unoccupied;

calm;

peaceful;

also refers to something not in use or idle.

Leisure — free timeidlenessunoccupied

Usage highlights

Leisure timeIdle talkLeisurely and comfortableUnoccupied personLeisure lifeIdle gossip

Synonyms

  • 暇— leisure time, spare time
  • 空— empty, free, vacant
  • 逸— ease, leisure, escape

Antonyms

  • 忙— busy, occupied
  • 劳— labor, work, toil

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I have some leisure time this weekend (周末有闲).
  • This room is currently unoccupied (这个房间闲着).
  • He leads a leisurely life (他过着闲适的生活).
  • Don't meddle in others' affairs (别管闲事).

Collocations

  • Leisure time(闲时)
  • Idle talk(闲谈)
  • Leisurely and comfortable(闲适)
  • Unoccupied person(闲人)
  • Leisure life(闲居)
  • Idle gossip(闲言碎语)

Idioms

  • Leisurely and carefree(闲云野鹤)
  • Idle talk about others(闲言闲语)
  • To have spare time(得闲)
  • Leisure and elegance(闲情逸致)
  • To stand by idly(闲视不理)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, 'leisure' was considered an ideal state for scholars and literati.
  • The concept reflects Daoist ideals of non-action and natural simplicity.
  • Being 'idle' could be either positive (scholarly refinement) or negative (laziness) depending on context.

FAQ