Meaning and Usage
The word "暇" (ひま) means "free time" or "leisure." It is commonly used to express having spare time when you are not busy with work or other obligations. It can describe both a temporary state (e.g., today) or a general condition.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "暇" in casual conversations when someone talks about their availability or lack thereof. For example, "暇だから映画に行こう" means "I'm free, so let's go to the movies."
Collocations and Patterns
- 暇な時 (ひまなとき): "when free" — used to talk about what you do during free time.
- 暇がない (ひまがない): "no free time" — to express being busy.
- 暇つぶし (ひまつぶし): "killing time" — doing something to pass time.
Register and Nuance
"暇" is a neutral, everyday word suitable for casual and polite conversation. It is not formal but perfectly acceptable in most social contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "暇" with "休み" (やすみ), which means "holiday" or "rest." While "休み" refers to a break or day off, "暇" focuses on having free time regardless of the day or situation.