茶余饭后 (chá yú fàn hòu) — leisure time; free moments (often used to describe topics of casual conversation)

Definition

A set phrase meaning 'leisure time' or 'over casual conversation' — typically frames topics of light chat. Literally 'after tea and meals'.

verb
leisure timefree moments (often used to describe topics of casual conversation)

Examples

  • 茶余饭后。
    Zhè jiàn shì chéng le dà jiā chá yú fàn hòu tán lùn de huà tí.
    This matter became a topic of casual conversation for everyone.
  • 茶余饭后。
    Tā xǐ huan zài chá yú fàn hòu dú yì xiē qīng sōng de xiǎo shuō.
    He likes to read some light novels in his leisure time.
  • 茶余饭后。
    Zhè xiē bā guà xīn wén bú guò shì chá yú fàn hòu de tán zī bà liǎo.
    These gossip news are nothing more than fodder for casual conversation.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

茶余after tea
茶chátea余yúleftover/after
偏正Modifier + head
饭后after meal
饭fànmeal后hòuafter
偏正Modifier + head

茶余 and 饭后 run parallel, naming the spare time after tea and meals.

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
艹Written in full as艸cǎo
Sound part声符shēngfú
余
余yú茶chá
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 茶, the 艹 part marks a plant, and the 余 part gives the sound.

Open 茶 →

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 餘; 余 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
食食shí
Sound part声符shēngfú
余
余yú餘Yú
Same sound today

The traditional form 餘 pairs 食 (food) with 余 as its sound part; the simplified 余 is a later abbreviation.

Open 余 →

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 飯; 饭 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
食食shífood
Sound part声符shēngfú
反
反fǎn飯fàn
Same sound today

The traditional form 飯 combines 食 (food) with 反 for the sound; the simplified 饭 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical form.

Open 饭 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 後; 后 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 後 showed 夊 (foot) bound by 幺 (thread), a foot caught by a rope and lagging behind; the simplified 后 is a later abbreviation, and 后 also has a different meaning.

Open 后 →

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