How common it is
闲 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say xián slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“闲”表示有空、不忙，可以休息或做自己喜欢的事情。
“Xián” biǎoshì yǒu kòng, bù máng, kěyǐ xiūxi huò zuò zìjǐ xǐhuān de shìqíng.
“闲” means having free time, not busy, able to rest or do things you like.
Context note
在日常生活里，我们常常用“闲”来形容一个人没有工作或任务，可以放松。比如周末的时候，大家比较闲。
Zài rìcháng shēnghuó lǐ, wǒmen chángcháng yòng “xián” lái xíngróng yīgè rén méiyǒu gōngzuò huò rènwù, kěyǐ fàngsōng. Bǐrú zhōumò de shíhou, dàjiā bǐjiào xián.
In daily life, we often use “闲” to describe a person who has no work or tasks and can relax. For example, on weekends, people are relatively free.
5 examples
我今天很闲，可以陪你玩。
wǒ jīn tiān hěn xián， kě yǐ péi nǐ wán。
I am very free today, I can play with you.
妈妈闲的时候喜欢看书。
mā ma xián de shí hòu xǐ huan kàn shū。
Mom likes to read when she is free.
周末我们都很闲，一起去公园吧。
zhōu mò wǒ men dōu hěn xián， yì qǐ qù gōng yuán ba。
We are all free on weekends, let's go to the park together.
他最近不闲，因为要准备考试。
tā zuì jìn bù xián， yīn wèi yào zhǔn bèi kǎo shì。
He is not free recently because he needs to prepare for exams.
闲的时候，我喜欢画画。
xián de shí hòu， wǒ xǐ huan huà huà。
When I am free, I like to draw.
5 mini stories
小明今天很闲，他决定去图书馆。他在图书馆里找到了一本有趣的故事书。
xiǎo míng jīn tiān hěn xián， tā jué dìng qù tú shū guǎn。 tā zài tú shū guǎn lǐ zhǎo dào le yì běn yǒu qù de gù shì shū。
Xiao Ming is very free today, he decides to go to the library. He finds an interesting storybook in the library.
小红闲的时候喜欢帮妈妈做家务。她扫地扫得很干净。
xiǎo hóng xián de shí hòu xǐ huan bāng mā ma zuò jiā wù。 tā sǎo dì sǎo dé hěn gān jìng。
Xiao Hong likes to help her mom with housework when she is free. She sweeps the floor very clean.
爸爸闲的时候会带我去钓鱼。我们坐在河边，很开心。
bà ba xián de shí hòu huì dài wǒ qù diào yú。 wǒ men zuò zài hé biān， hěn kāi xīn。
Dad takes me fishing when he is free. We sit by the river, very happy.
老师闲的时候会给我们讲故事。她讲的故事很有趣。
lǎo shī xián de shí hòu huì gěi wǒ men jiǎng gù shì。 tā jiǎng de gù shì hěn yǒu qù。
The teacher tells us stories when she is free. The stories she tells are very interesting.
我闲的时候喜欢和朋友踢足球。我们在操场上跑得很快。
wǒ xián de shí hòu xǐ huan hé péng yǒu tī zú qiú。 wǒ men zài cāo chǎng shàng pǎo dé hěn kuài。
I like to play soccer with friends when I am free. We run very fast on the playground.