Definition
闲 (xián) describes a person who is free, not busy, often with a neutral or slightly negative tone (idle, with nothing to do). 空 (kòng) focuses on time or space being available for use (e.g., 有空 'have free time'). 空闲 (kòngxián) is a more formal synonym for free time or being unoccupied. 休闲 (xiūxián) means 'leisure' as a positive activity, not just being free.
adjective
free (not busy)idleunoccupied
Easily confused
- 问wènlook-aliketo ask
- 先xiānsound-alikefirst, in advance, before others
- 闪shǎnlook-aliketo dodge, to duck out of the way
- 线xiànsound-alikethread; string; wire; line
- 间jiānlook-alike(classifier) for rooms, offices, and other enclosed spaces
- 险xiǎnsound-alike(adjective) dangerous, perilous
- 闷mènlook-alike(adjective) bored, depressed, melancholy
- 献xiànsound-aliketo offer, to present (with respect, e.g. flowers, gifts, opinion)
- 闸zhálook-alike(noun) brake (on a vehicle)
- 陷xiànsound-aliketo sink into, to get stuck in (physical substance); to cave in
Examples
- 闲，。Wǒ zuìjìn bú xián, gōngzuò hěn máng.I've been not free recently; work is very busy.
- 闲？。Zhōumò nǐ xián ma? Wǒmen yìqǐ qù páshān ba.Are you free this weekend? Let's go hiking together.
- 闲，。Tā tiāntiān xián zhe, shénme, shénme yě bú zuò.He idles around every day, doing nothing.
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