Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
闲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
闲xiánto stay idleHSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 门, rank #6199, Hard
闲xiánto be unoccupiedHSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 门, rank #6199, Hard
闲xiánnot busyHSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 门, rank #6199, Hard
闲xiánleisureHSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 门, rank #6199, Hard
闲xiánenclosureHSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 门, rank #6199, Hard
闲xián>闲, idleHSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 门, rank #6199, Hard
闲xiánunoccupiedHSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 门, rank #6199, Hard
闲xiánfree timeHSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 门, rank #6199, Hard
闲xiánfence, guard; to defend; idle timeHSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 门, rank #6199, Hard
xián(xian2) T2
  1. 1to stay idle
  2. 2to be unoccupied
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
闲(閑)xián(xian2)

The character 闲 (xián) refers to a state of being idle or unoccupied, indicating free time or leisure. It is commonly used in contexts relating to relaxation or activities done during one's free time, as well as to describe a lack of busyness.

Strokes7Radical门Frequency#6199DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of leisure (闲) is highly valued, often associated with traditional practices like tai chi or tea ceremonies, emphasizing the importance of balance between work and relaxation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a serene scene where you are lounging in a quiet garden (the enclosure) with no worries—this is your ‘闲’ time. The character has a 'door' (门) enclosing a peaceful space, reinforcing the idea of a leisure area.

Meanings of 闲

xián(xian2)
1to stay idle
2to be unoccupied
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 闲

闲Simplified
閑Traditional
7Strokes
门Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#6199Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 闲

JasonAmy

Podcast: 闲

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 闲

Quick Contrast

闲 (xián) vs 余 (yú) — use 闲 when emphasizing leisure or idleness, while 余 suggests surplus or remaining time.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a serene scene where you are lounging in a quiet garden (the enclosure) with no worries—this is your ‘闲’ time. The character has a 'door' (门) enclosing a peaceful space, reinforcing the idea of a leisure area.

Usage Notes

When using 闲, be mindful of the context; it is often used in informal settings. Common phrases include 闲暇 (xián xiá - leisure time) and 闲逛 (xián guàng - to stroll about). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that imply busyness.

HSK Study Tips

While 闲 is not listed in the official HSK levels, it is relevant for learners aiming for conversational fluency. It connects well with words related to time management and leisure activities, such as 休息 (xiū xī - to rest) and 娱乐 (yú lè - entertainment).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of leisure (闲) is highly valued, often associated with traditional practices like tai chi or tea ceremonies, emphasizing the importance of balance between work and relaxation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 闲 with busy-related terms, mistakenly saying '我很闲工作' (Wǒ hěn xián gōngzuò), which incorrectly mixes leisure with work. The correct usage would be '我很闲' (Wǒ hěn xián) to express being free.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 闲

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 闲 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 闲

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A wooden fence 木 with a door 门

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 闲?

Decomposition of 闲

IDS Structure⿵门木
闲Full Character
=
门Men2
enclosing
木Mu4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 闲?

Write 闲

闲

Practice writing 闲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 闲

闲 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

明天我去超市逛逛，反正____着也是闲着。

I will go browse the supermarket tomorrow — I am just sitting around idle anyway.

Common Confusions with 闲

闲vs嫌
xián

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to stay idle"?

or

Example Sentences for 闲 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
快点儿，奥斯蒙德，你闲站着干什么。

kuài diǎn ér， ， ào sī mēng， dé ， nǐ xián zhàn zháo gān。

Come along, Osmond. No sense in your standing around.
2
这些休闲设施是供客人使用的。

zhè xiē xiū xián shè shī shì gōng kè rén shǐ yòng de。

The leisure facilities are there for the use of guests.
3
他们的休闲服系列瞄准的是追求时髦的13到25岁青少年。

tā mén de xiū xián fú xì liè miáo zhǔn de shì zhuī qiú shí máo de13 1325 dào 25 suì qīng。

Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.
4
他这个人总是到处管闲事。

tā zhè gè rén zǒng shì dào chǔ guǎn xián shì。

He's a man with fingers in a lot of pies.
5
这对伴侣年龄上的差异招来了不少闲话。

zhè duì bàn lǚ nián líng shàng de chà yì zhāo lái le bù shǎo xián huà。

What set tongues wagging was the age difference between the two partners.
6
休闲中心是一个狭长而低矮的现代建筑。

xiū xián zhōng xīn shì yī gè xiá cháng ér dī ǎi de xiàn dài jiàn zhù。

The Leisure Center is a long and low modern building.
7
水手们在等待离港的时候四处闲逛。

shuǐ shǒu mén zài děng dài lí gǎng de shí hòu sì chǔ xián guàng。

Sailors hung about while they waited to ship out.
8
我开始在外面闲荡，不知道自己在做什么。

wǒ kāi shǐ zài wài miàn xián dàng， ， bù zhī dào zì jǐ zài zuò shí。

I started puttering around outside, not knowing what I was doing.
9
他在办公室闲荡了一会儿，感到百无聊赖。

tā zài bàn gōng shì xián dàng le yī huì ér， ， gǎn dào bǎi wú liáo。

He moped around the office for a while, feeling bored.
10
他拢岸让她下船，然后继续悠闲地在湖上划着。

tā lǒng àn ràng tā xià chuán， ， rán hòu jì xù yōu xián dì zài hú shàng huá。

He rowed her ashore and then continued trolling around the lake.

Cultural Notes for 闲

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of leisure (闲) is highly valued, often associated with traditional practices like tai chi or tea ceremonies, emphasizing the importance of balance between work and relaxation.

Word Family of 闲

Compounds3
痫xian2epilepsy, convulsions
娴xian2elegant, refined, skillful
鹇xian2silver pheasant, Lophura nycthemera; Lophura species (various)
Words Containing This Character20
休闲xiūxiánleisure休閒
闲xiánto stay idle閑
闲聊to chat閑聊
闲逛to stroll閑逛
管闲事to meddle管閒事
多管闲事meddling in other people's business多管閒事
空闲kòngxiánidle空閒
悠闲yōuxiánleisurely悠閒
闲置to lie idle閒置
游手好闲to idle about遊手好閑
闲话xiánhuàdigression閑話
闲暇leisure閑暇
闲人idler閑人
闲事other people's business閑事
闲谈to chat閑談
清闲idle清閒
闲扯to chat閒扯
闲散idle閑散
闲适relaxed閑適
闲言碎语idle gossip閑言碎語
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 痫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 闲

You can say '我今天下午很闲' (Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ hěn xián) meaning 'I am very free this afternoon.'