kòngxián: 空闲 - Free, Unoccupied, At leisure

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word kòngxián (空闲), the primary term for describing “free time,” being “unoccupied,” or “at leisure.” This page breaks down what `kòngxián` means, its cultural significance in fast-paced modern China, and how to use it correctly to ask if someone is free, talk about your schedule, or even describe an available resource. Mastering `kòngxián` is key to moving beyond basic conversation and scheduling plans like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kòngxián
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Describes a state of being not busy, having available time, or a resource being unused or idle.
• In a Nutshell: `空闲` is the most direct and versatile word for “free time” on a schedule. Think of it as the opposite of `忙 (máng)`, meaning “busy.” It refers to a concrete block of time where you have no obligations. It can describe a person (“I am free”), a period of time (“free time”), or even an object (“an idle machine” or “an available seat”). It's a neutral, factual term about availability.

• 空 (kōng): This character means “empty,” “hollow,” or “sky.” The image is of a hole or cave (穴) being dug out by a tool or worker (工). It signifies emptiness or a void.
• 闲 (xián): This character means “idle” or “leisure.” It's a beautiful pictograph of a person looking at the moon (月) through the crack of a door (门). This paints a picture of someone at home, with nothing pressing to do, leisurely observing the world outside.
• The two characters combine literally to mean “empty idleness” or “empty leisure,” which perfectly captures the modern meaning of an unoccupied, available slot of time.

In Chinese culture, particularly in the context of modern urban life, time is a precious commodity. The pace of life (`生活节奏 - shēnghuó jiézòu`) is often incredibly fast, and being `忙 (máng - busy)` is a common state of being. Therefore, `空闲 (kòngxián)` time is highly valued. Unlike the Western concept of “leisure,” which can carry philosophical connotations of relaxation and self-fulfillment, `空闲` is more practical and functional. It's a “slot in the calendar.” Asking someone, “你空闲吗？ (Nǐ kòngxián ma?)” is a direct, polite, and very common way to check their availability before making a request or an invitation. It's often perceived as less imposing than the English, “Are you busy?” which can sometimes make the recipient feel pressured to say yes. Furthermore, there can be a cultural expectation to use `空闲` time productively—for studying, pursuing a side business, or personal development—rather than purely for rest. It's a resource to be managed, not just enjoyed.

`空闲` is a flexible word used in various everyday situations.

This is its most common use. You use it to ask about someone's availability or to state your own. It's a neutral term suitable for both casual and slightly formal contexts.

A crucial, non-obvious meaning for learners is its use for inanimate objects or spaces. It means “unoccupied,” “vacant,” or “idle.”

It can function as a noun, often in the combination `空闲时间 (kòngxián shíjiān)`, which literally means “free time.”

• Example 1:
  • 你明天下午空闲吗？我们去看电影吧。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ míngtiān xiàwǔ kòngxián ma? Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng ba.
  • English: Are you free tomorrow afternoon? Let's go watch a movie.
  • Analysis: A classic, everyday example of using `空闲` as an adjective to ask about someone's availability to make plans.
• Example 2:
  • 这间会议室现在是空闲的，你们可以用。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiān huìyìshì xiànzài shì kòngxián de, nǐmen kěyǐ yòng.
  • English: This conference room is unoccupied right now, you all can use it.
  • Analysis: This shows `空闲` used to describe an inanimate resource (a room) as being available or vacant. The `的 (de)` at the end helps solidify its adjectival function here.
• Example 3:
  • 我喜欢在空闲的时候听音乐、看看书。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xǐhuān zài kòngxián de shíhòu tīng yīnyuè, kànkan shū.
  • English: I like to listen to music and read a bit in my free time.
  • Analysis: Here, `空闲` is used as a noun phrase (`空闲的时候` - during free time) to talk about hobbies.
• Example 4:
  • 退休以后，王老师终于有了很多空闲时间。
  • Pinyin: Tuìxiū yǐhòu, Wáng lǎoshī zhōngyú yǒule hěnduō kòngxián shíjiān.
  • English: After retiring, Teacher Wang finally has a lot of free time.
  • Analysis: Using the common noun phrase `空闲时间 (kòngxián shíjiān)` to talk about a period of life with more leisure.
• Example 5:
  • A: 你怎么看起来这么累？ B: 我最近一点儿也不空闲，天天都要加班。
  • Pinyin: A: Nǐ zěnme kànqǐlái zhème lèi? B: Wǒ zuìjìn yīdiǎnr yě bù kòngxián, tiāntiān dōu yào jiābān.
  • English: A: Why do you look so tired? B: I haven't been free at all recently, I have to work overtime every day.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the negative form, `不空闲 (bù kòngxián)`, to mean “not free” or “busy.”
• Example 6:
  • 司机先生，请问后面有空闲的座位吗？
  • Pinyin: Sījī xiānshēng, qǐngwèn hòumiàn yǒu kòngxián de zuòwèi ma?
  • English: Excuse me, driver, are there any available seats in the back?
  • Analysis: Another example of describing a resource. `空闲的座位 (kòngxián de zuòwèi)` means “available/empty seats.”
• Example 7:
  • 他把所有空闲都用来陪伴家人了。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ suǒyǒu kòngxián dōu yònglái péibàn jiārén le.
  • English: He used all of his free time to accompany his family.
  • Analysis: Here, `空闲` functions directly as a noun (“free time”) without `时间 (shíjiān)`. This is common and sounds natural.
• Example 8:
  • 这台服务器正处于空闲状态，可以进行维护。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tái fúwùqì zhèng chǔyú kòngxián zhuàngtài, kěyǐ jìnxíng wéihù.
  • English: This server is currently in an idle state and can undergo maintenance.
  • Analysis: A more technical or formal usage, showing `空闲` describing the “idle” state of a machine.
• Example 9:
  • 如果您空闲，我想和您讨论一下那个项目。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nín kòngxián, wǒ xiǎng hé nín tǎolùn yīxià nàge xiàngmù.
  • English: If you are free, I would like to discuss that project with you for a moment.
  • Analysis: A polite and slightly formal way to make a request in a professional setting. Using `您 (nín)` for “you” enhances the formality.
• Example 10:
  • 不要让你的大脑空闲太久，多学习，多思考。
  • Pinyin: Búyào ràng nǐ de dànǎo kòngxián tài jiǔ, duō xuéxí, duō sīkǎo.
  • English: Don't let your brain stay idle for too long; study more, think more.
  • Analysis: A more abstract or metaphorical use, where `空闲` means “idle” or “inactive.”

• `空闲 (kòngxián)` vs. `有空 (yǒu kòng)`
  • This is a key distinction. `有空 (yǒu kòng)` literally means “to have free time” and is much more common in spoken, colloquial Chinese when asking about availability.
  • `有空` is a verb phrase: “Do you have free time?” → `你明天有空吗？(Nǐ míngtiān yǒu kòng ma?)` - Very common.
  • `空闲` is an adjective: “Are you free?” → `你明天空闲吗？ (Nǐ míngtiān kòngxián ma?)` - Also correct, but slightly more formal/written.
  • Rule of Thumb: When speaking casually, use `有空`. `空闲` is perfect for describing things (“an idle computer”) where `有空` would not work.
• `空闲 (kòngxián)` vs. `免费 (miǎnfèi)` - The “Free” Trap
  • This is a classic “false friend” for beginners. The English word “free” has two main meanings, but Chinese uses two completely different words.
  • `空闲 (kòngxián)`: Free as in available time, unoccupied.
  • `免费 (miǎnfèi)`: Free as in no cost, free of charge.
  • INCORRECT: `我想喝一杯免费咖啡，但是我现在不免费。` (This sentence is grammatically nonsensical).
  • CORRECT: `我想喝一杯免费(miǎnfèi)的咖啡，但是我现在不空闲(bù kòngxián)。` (I want to drink a free-of-charge coffee, but I am not free/available right now.)

• `有空 (yǒu kòng)` - The most common colloquial synonym, a verb phrase meaning “to have free time.” Often interchangeable with `空闲` in conversation but less versatile.
• `忙 (máng)` - The direct antonym, meaning “busy.”
• `悠闲 (yōuxián)` - Describes the *feeling* of being leisurely and relaxed. While you need `空闲` time to feel `悠闲`, they are not the same. `空闲` is about the schedule; `悠闲` is about the mood.
• `闲 (xián)` - The character for “idle” used alone. Can be found in words like `闲聊 (xiánliáo)` - to chat idly, or `闲人 (xiánrén)` - an idle person.
• `业余 (yèyú)` - Means “spare-time” or “amateur.” The phrase `业余时间 (yèyú shíjiān)` is a close synonym for `空闲时间`, often used when discussing hobbies (e.g., my spare-time interest is…).
• `空 (kōng)` - The character for “empty.” Used for physical emptiness, as in `空房间 (kōng fángjiān)` - an empty room, or `天空 (tiānkōng)` - the sky.
• `免费 (miǎnfèi)` - A crucial distinction. Means “free of charge,” and has absolutely no connection to time or availability.