空当 (kòng dàng) — break; interval; gap (in time or space)

Definition

Refers to a short gap or interval in time (a spare moment) or in space (an opening between objects). Contrast with 空闲 (kòng xián), which emphasizes 'free/leisure time' for activities.

noun
breakintervalgap (in time or space)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 空当，。
    Chèn zhè ge kòng dàng, wǒ qù dào bēi shuǐ.
    I'll go get a glass of water during this break.
  • ，空当。
    Shū jià shàng de shū bǎi dé hěn mì, méi yǒu kòng dàng.
    The books on the shelf are packed tightly with no gaps.
  • 空当。
    Tā lì yòng gōng zuò kòng dàng xué xí yīng yǔ.
    He uses breaks at work to study English.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

空kōngempty
当dānginterval

The sense of 空, empty, combines with 当, interval, to mean a gap or break.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
穴穴xuécave, hole
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng空kōng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

空 is built from 穴, a cave or hole, and 工, which gives the sound.

Open 空 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 當; 当 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
尚
尚shàng當dāng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 當 combines 田 (field) with 尚; the evidence describes fields facing each other.

Open 当 →

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