闲

• Pinyin: xián
• Hanzi breakdown: 闲 = 门 (door) + 木 (wood), simplified from 閒 where 月 (moon) indicated leisure

Meaning

Idle; free; unoccupied. Describes a state of having leisure time or not being busy.

Can describe both people (having free time) and things (not in use, lying idle). Also appears in compounds like 闲聊 (to chat), 闲逛 (to stroll aimlessly), and 闲话 (gossip). Sometimes carries a slightly negative connotation of being unproductive.

Examples

1. 最近工作太忙，根本没有闲的时候。 Work has been so busy lately, there's no free time at all.
2. 他退休以后闲不下来，又找了份兼职工作。 After retiring he couldn't stay idle, so he found a part-time job.
3. 周末的时候她喜欢闲逛，看看街上有什么新店。 On weekends she likes to stroll around and see what new shops are on the street.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, work-life

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你什么时候有闲，我们出去吃个饭？(When are you free, shall we go out for a meal?)
• 别闲着，过来帮个忙。(Don't just stand idle, come help out.)

Don't Say

• 我的工作很闲 (Sounds slightly negative, implying you have nothing to do — better to say 我的工作不太忙 or 工作比较轻松)

Origin & History

The traditional form 閒 shows 門 (door) with 月 (moon), suggesting moonlight through a door gap — a peaceful, idle moment.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal