siu1 hin2消遣
Jyutpingsiu1 hin2
Yalesīu hín
Definition
To amuse oneself, pass the time, or engage in recreation to relax.
neutraldaily actionsother
How it's used
Focuses on activities done specifically to alleviate boredom or pass time in a relaxed manner. It carries a slightly more sophisticated or literary nuance compared to casual terms like 玩, often implying a deliberate choice of activity to occupy oneself during downtime.
Examples
What do you like to do for fun when you are on holiday?
He usually likes to read books to pass the time, and rarely goes out.
Related words
Common phrases
to kill time
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe intense or high energy activities like playing competitive sports, as it typically refers to low stakes, leisurely pastimes.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
