消遣

xiāoqiǎn

to while the time away

HSK 7

漢字分解

Meaning and Usage

"消遣" refers to activities or ways to pass time pleasantly, often implying leisure or entertainment. It is commonly used to describe hobbies or pastimes people engage in to relax or avoid boredom.

Common Contexts

People often use "消遣" when talking about weekend activities, hobbies, or ways to relieve stress. It usually carries a neutral or positive tone, emphasizing enjoyment or relaxation.

Collocations and Patterns

Notes

"消遣" is more formal than casual words like "" (play) and often appears in written or semi-formal spoken contexts. It should not be confused with "消失" (to disappear) despite sharing the character "". When using "消遣", the focus is on the activity's role in making time enjoyable or relieving boredom.

例文

周末我喜欢看电影来消遣。

Zhōumò wǒ xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng lái xiāoqiǎn.

I like watching movies to pass the time on weekends.

他用打游戏来消遣无聊的下午。

Tā yòng dǎ yóuxì lái xiāoqiǎn wúliáo de xiàwǔ.

He uses playing games to entertain himself during boring afternoons.

消遣不仅仅是打发时间,也能让人放松心情。

Xiāoqiǎn bù jǐnjǐn shì dǎfā shíjiān, yě néng ràng rén fàngsōng xīnqíng.

Entertainment is not just about killing time; it also helps people relax.